Chemical oxidation of 2,6-dimethylaniline by electrochemically generated Fenton's reagent.

Oxidation of 2,6-dimethylaniline by electro-Fenton process in acidic solution at pH 2 was investigated. The effects of pH, Fe(2+), H(2)O(2) and current density were assessed to determine the optimum operating parameters. The oxidation efficiency of 2,6-dimethylaniline was determined by the reduction of 2,6-dimethylaniline, COD and TOC in the solutions. Results reveal that 1 mM of 2,6-dimethylaniline can be completely degraded in 4 h with 1 mM of Fe(2+) and 20 mM of H(2)O(2) and current density of 15.89 A m(-2) at pH 2. The highest COD and TOC removal were observed when 120 mM of hydrogen peroxide was applied. Consequently, the electro-Fenton process is a reliable alternative in the degradation of 2,6-dimethylaniline. 2,6-dimethylphenol, 2,6-dimethylnitrobenzene, 2,6-dimethylbenzoquinone, 3-hexanone, lactic acid, oxalic acid, acetic acid, maleic acid and formic acid were detected during the degradation of 1 mM of 2,6-dimethylaniline solution by electro-Fenton method. A reaction pathway that includes these products is proposed for 2,6-dimethylaniline degradation.