Tandem dehalogenation–hydrogenation reaction of halogenoarenes as model substrates of endocrine disruptors in water: Rhodium nanoparticles in suspension vs. on silica support

This paper focuses on the removal of mono- and poly-halogenated arenes, as model substrates of endocrine disrupting compounds from aqueous effluents. The efficiency of catalysts based on metallic nanoparticles in the tandem dehalogenation–hydrogenation reaction as a pre-treatment for the remediation of organic halogenated pollutants was studied. Two catalytic systems – aqueous colloidal Rh0 dispersions and SiO2-supported Rh0 nanoparticles – were easily prepared under mild conditions and were compared in the hydrodehalogenation reaction of the model substrates. Interesting results in terms of catalytic activity were obtained, particularly with Rh0@SiO2 catalyst, which proved to be more stable and efficient under the reaction conditions.

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► Aqueous colloidal Rh suspensions were efficiently deposited on silica, using a mild methodology.
► Both catalysts were used in water for the tandem dehalogenation–hydrogenation reaction of halogenoarenes, as model substrates for endocrine disrupting compounds.
► Interesting catalytic activities with TOFs up to 375 h−1 were obtained.