Kinetics of octachlorodipropyl ether photolysis in aqueous solution

The photodegradation kinetics of octachlorodipropyl ether (OCDPE) in aqueous solution have been studied under select conditions. The photodegradation rate constants of OCDPE increase with the increases of temperature and pH. The photolysis rates of OCDPE in the investigated water follow the sequence of pure water>impoundment water>pond water>lake water. The photodegradation product of OCDPE is shown to be 2,3,3-trichloroprop-2-en-1-ol. We propose that the OCDPE photolytic pathways consist of dehydrochlorination and ether cleavage via ionic or radical mediated reaction.