Formation of chlorinated phenols, dibenzo-p-dioxins, dibenzofurans, benzenes, benzoquinnones and perchloroethylenes from phenols in oxidative and copper (II) chloride-catalyzed thermal process

Formation of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), and chlorinated phenols on CuCl2 from unsubstituted phenol and three monochlorophenols was studied in a flow reactor over a temperature range of 100–425 °C. Heated nitrogen gas streams containing 8.0% oxygen were used as carrier gas. The 0.00024 mol of unsubstituted phenol and 0.00039 mol of each monochlorophenol were passed through a 1 g and 1 cm SiO2 particle containing 0.5% (Cu by mass) CuCl2. Chlorination preferentially occurred on ortho-(2, 6) and para-(4) positions. Chlorination increased up to 200 °C, and thereafter decreased as temperature increased. Chlorination of phenols plays an important role in the formation of the more chlorinated PCDD/Fs. Chlorinated benzenes are formed possibly from both chlorination of benzene and chlorodehydroxylation of phenols. Chlorinated phenols with ortho chlorine formed PCDD products, and major PCDD products were produced via loss of one chlorine. For PCDF formation, at least one unchlorinated ortho carbon was required.