Photocatalytic Oxidation of Organic Pollutants Catalyzed by an Iron Complex at Biocompatible pH Values: Using O2 as Main Oxidant in a Fenton-like Reaction

A red iron(II) 4,4′-dicarboxy-2,2′-bipyridine complex ([FeII(dcbpy)3]) was investigated as an extraordinary Fenton catalyst capable of activating much more molecular O2 to mineralize organic pollutants in water at biocompatible pH values under visible irradiation. Eight representative organic pollutants were effectively degraded in the presence of this catalyst with high turnover number (368−2000). The flexible bifunctional coordination mode (N donor for ferrous ion and O donor for ferric form) devoted by the ligand dcbpy should be responsible for the preservation of iron(II/III) catalysis in such a neutral pH condition, whereas any substitution of the 4,4′-carboxylic groups in dcbpy by other groups such as ether, alcohol, nitroyl, or methyl groups resulted in nearly total loss of catalytic stability. More important, the present [FeII(dcbpy)3] catalyst can dramatically change the traditional role ofH2O2 as main oxidant in the general Fenton reaction and make molecular O2 become the main oxidant in the min...