Chemical Oxidation of 2,6-Dimethylaniline in the Fenton Process

Abstract

2,6-Dimethylaniline degradation by Fenton process has been studied in depth for the purpose of learning more about the reactions involved in the oxidation of 2,6-dimethylaniline under various reaction conditions. The effect of reaction conditions including the initial pH value, and the dosages of ferrous ions and hydrogen peroxide on 2,6-dimethylaniline and COD removal were investigated. 2,6-Dimethylaniline removal efficiency of 70% was achieved under optimal reaction conditions of pH value of 2, dosage of 2 mM of ferrous ion, and 20 mM of hydrogen peroxide after 3 h. A series of intermediates were identified, corresponding to ring compounds and short-chain organic acids. The intermediates were 2,6-dimethylphenol, 2,6-dimethylnitrobenzene, 2,6-dimethylbenzoquinone, 3-hexanone, maleic acid, acetic acid, formic acid, and oxalic acid. An oxidation pathway of the target organic was also proposed in this study.