Abstract

Pentachlorophenol (PCP), a fungicide and insecticide, leaves behind considerable residue in the environment in the form of unreacted molecule, metabolites and photoreduction products. Most of the previously reported photoproducts have resulted from dechlorination of the parent molecule. We have shown that photoreduction of PCP also proceeds by photoreduction of the parent molecule at carbons 2 and 4. These products were identified and characterized as 2-dehydro-2,3,4,5,6-pentachlorocyclohexanone (II) and 2,3,4,5,6-pentachlorocyclohexanone (IV). Both of them display keto–enol tautomerism. Identification and characterization of new photoproducts of PCP is significant for determining its overall environmental impact in the ecosystem.