Rose bengal-sensitized photooxidation of 2-chlorophenol in water using solar simulated light

The decomposition of 2-chlorophenol (2CP) in an aqueous solution by means of photosensitized oxidation using rose bengal has been studied. The influence of initial 2CP concentration, pH of reaction mixture and oxygen content on reaction rate has been observed. The reaction of 2CP with singlet oxygen (type II of photooxidation) appeared the most important pathway of degradation. The rate constants of singlet oxygen quenching and reaction with 2CP were determined and the rate constant of excited rose bengal quenching by 2CP was also estimated. An attempt was made to identify the main photooxidation products.