Effect of lateritic iron and hydrogen peroxide for degradation and mineralization of pyridine compound 2-aminopyridines

Pyridine is an important raw material in the pharmaceutical industry. Aminopyridines are key intermediates for the synthesis of important pharmaceutical products. 2-Aminopyridine is used in the production of antibacterial and several antihistamines drugs. Pyridine compounds have harmful effects on the liver, kidneys, immune systems, and reproductive functions, and have potential carcinogenicity. It is very essential to degrade 2-aminopyridines from an aqueous environment on a priority basis. Large-scale application of Fenton/photo-Fenton processes employing ferrous salts Fe 2+ may prove costlier for the complete treatment of contaminated water/wastewater containing such recalcitrant compounds. 100% degradation of 2-aminopyridine (10 mg·L –1 ) by the Fenton process required 180 min out of which 58% degradation was achieved in the first 60 min of the reaction. The pho-to-Fenton oxidation process showed an improved rate of degradation. Parameters like pH, the dosage of hydrogen peroxide, and iron extracted from laterite soil are optimized for the effective degradation and mineralization of 2-aminopyridine in water. Kinetic studies were also conducted using the optimum conditions for 2-aminopyridine degradation and, the pseudo-first-order kinetic equation has been fit up to the reaction time of 30 min. High-performance liquid chromatography analysis was also carried out to confirm the cleavage of the pharmaceutical compound 2-aminopyridine.