Oxidation of synthetic phenolic antioxidants during water chlorination

► Five of the seven studied antioxidants were significantly degraded by chlorination. ► pH, Cl2 and Br− concentration influence on degradation routes and kinetics. ► Main degradation processes were hydroxylation and oxidation of the aromatic system. ► The quinone derivatives were stable. ► Some hydroxylated derivatives occurred in wastewater and tap water samples.