Open AccessDechloriation mechanisms of chlorinated olefins.
Author(s) -
Russell A. Van Dyke
Publication year - 1977
Publication title -
environmental health perspectives
Language(s) - Uncategorized
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.257
H-Index - 282
eISSN - 1552-9924
pISSN - 0091-6765
DOI - 10.1289/ehp.7721121
Subject(s) - chemistry , reductive dechlorination , halogen , oxidative phosphorylation , double bond , carbon fibers , organic chemistry , photochemistry , biodegradation , biochemistry , materials science , alkyl , composite number , composite material
The dechlorination of chlorinated hydrocarbons has been examined in detail. The reaction is catalyzed by cytochrome P-450 and occurs optimally in the presence of oxygen although some dechlorination may occur under anaerobic conditions. Halothane has been shown to undergo an oxidative dechlorination and a reductive defluorination. Enzymatic attack of chlorinated olefins and hydrocarbons is not on the carbon--halogen bond. Oxidative dechlorination of hydrocarbons is apparently initiated by an attack on the carbon atom and the halogen is then released from the oxidized carbon. The chlorinated olefins, on the other hand, are not easily dechlorinated enzymatically. The chlorines migrate readily across the double bond, therefore, cyclic chloronium ions must occur as intermediates. It is not clear at this time if epoxides are also intermediates in this conversion.