Photodecomposition of dichloromethane catalyzed by tetrachloroferrate(iii) supported on a Dowex anion exchange resin

Abstract

The FeCl₄⁻ ion, heterogenized on a Dowex ion exchange resin, catalyzes the aerobic photodecomposition of neat CH₂Cl₂. Phosgene production was used to characterize the extent of decomposition, although it appears to be a secondary product from the decomposition of chloroform, which is suggested to arise from the reaction of dichloromethanol with hydrogen chloride. The yield of CHCl₃ increases when the production of phosgene is suppressed by water or acetonitrile. CuCl₄²⁻, likewise heterogenized on Dowex, is photocatalytically inactive.