Chemistry Letters, Vol.39, No.4, 352-353, 2010
Photocatalytic Homogeneous Oxidation of Organic Compounds in Aqueous Solutions Containing Iron(III) Ion: A Very Simple Method for Mineralization of Organic Pollutants in Water
Irradiation of UV light to aqueous solutions of various organic compounds (acetic acid, alcohols, ketones, phenol, and benzenesulfonic acid) containing a small amount of metal ions was examined under an aerated condition at room temperature. These organic compounds were quantitatively decomposed to carbon dioxide in the presence of iron(III) ion, indicating that hydrated iron(III) complex acted as an efficient homogeneous photocatalyst.