| Abstract: | Abstract The photodegradation of organophosphorus compounds has been studied using triethylphosphate as a model compound, A 150 W xenon lamp was used in conjunction with ammonium peroxydisulfate to achieve high yields of orthophosphate in a 100-second irradiation time. The effects of the pH of the reaction medium and the initial concentrations of a peroxydisulfate and triethylphosphate on the extent of reaction were determined. A survey of potential interferences was performed, Copper (II) ion was found to catalyze the reaction, The effect of varying the Cu (II) concentration and the pH dependence of the catalyzed reaction were determined, Organic solvents were found to interfere with the photo degradation, but the reaction shows good potential for incorporation into a post-column detection system for the liquid chromatographic determination of organophosphorus compounds where totally aqueous mobile phases can be used. |
