ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF PHOTOCATALYTICALLY DEGRADED PRODUCTS OF PYROXASULFONE USING MYRIAD ANALYTICAL TECHNIQUES

Abstract

Photocatalytic degradation of pyroxasulfone was carried out in presence of artificial sunlight. Effect of time, sample concentration, catalyst concentration, light intensity and pH was observed on degradation process. Various solvent systems and catalysts were also tried. MgO was found to be the most effective catalyst for degradation of pyroxasulfone, while Methanol: Water (50:50) was found to be the most compatible solvent system for this degradation process. Two degraded products (Degradant-1 and Degradant-2) were isolated and characterized using various analytical techniques. On the basis of experimental findings, a tentative degradation scheme has been proposed.