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Investigation of hexabromocyclododecane thermal degradation pathways by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry
Author(s) -
Barontini Federica,
Cozzani Valerio,
Cuzzola Angela,
Petarca Luigi
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
rapid communications in mass spectrometry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.528
H-Index - 136
eISSN - 1097-0231
pISSN - 0951-4198
DOI - 10.1002/rcm.281
Subject(s) - hexabromocyclododecane , chemistry , pyrolysis–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry , gas chromatography , mass spectrometry , decomposition , thermal decomposition , oxidizing agent , pyrolysis , degradation (telecommunications) , brominated flame retardant , chlorinated paraffins , tetrabromobisphenol a , inert gas , fire retardant , chemical decomposition , chromatography , environmental chemistry , organic chemistry , telecommunications , computer science
The decomposition products of hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD), a widely used brominated flame retardant, were investigated by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). HBCD thermal degradation was conducted under a moderate heating rate (10 °C/min) in a batch reactor using both inert and oxidizing atmospheres. GC/MS analysis allowed the identification of substances derived from the primary pyrolysis process at the moderate heating rates used. The presence of oxygen seems to have a negligible influence on the degradation products obtained in HBCD decomposition, at least at moderate heating rates. Based on the identified products, the main pathways of HBCD thermal degradation were assessed and a mechanism for HBCD decomposition was proposed. The results obtained indicate that hexa‐, penta‐ and tetrabrominated polyaromatic structures seem not to be primary products of HBCD decomposition, and may only be obtained by secondary bromination reactions. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.