Photocatalytic oxidation of the herbicide (4-chloro-2-methylphenoxy)acetic acid (MCPA) over TiO2

The photocatalytic decomposition of the herbicide (4-chloro-2-methylphenoxy)acetic acid (MCPA), C₉H₉ClO₃, in aqueous suspensions containing TiO₂ was investigated by following the formation of intermediates via recording proton NMR spectra. One of theoretically possible intermediates, 4-chloro-2-methylphenolmethanoate, was synthesized by a modified esterification procedure. Based on the data obtained a possible reaction mechanism was proposed. The rate of MCPA aromatic ring decomposition was followed by pH changes during illumination. As a result, apparent reaction rate constant was found to be 7.0×10⁻⁶ mol dm⁻³ min⁻¹. The complete mineralization was attained after about 15 h of illumination.