Novel technology for the rapid total mineralization of carbon tetrachloride under ambient conditions

Abstract

Polyhaloalkanes such as carbon tetrachloride (CTC) are classified as biorefractory, highly toxic and ozone depleting materials. Those materials are suspected as being carcinogenic and are widespread contaminants in soil and ground water. Accordingly, schemes to effectively destruct and mineralize polyhalomethanes are in great need. We herewith report a novel reagent composed of sodium hydroxide, hydrogen peroxide and a phase transfer catalyst that swiftly and quantitatively mineralize bulk CTC under ambient conditions. We advocate that the key intermediate in the process is the powerful nucleophile, superoxide anion that is extracted by the phase transfer catalyst into the organic (CTC) phase. This nucleophile rapidly reacts with CTC and completely mineralizes it to sodium carbonate and sodium chloride.