Photocatalytic Hydrodehalogenation for the Removal of Halogenated Aromatic Contaminants

Abstract The environmental distribution and bioaccumulation of anthropogenic halogenated aromatic pollutants cause severe health problems. Hydrodehalogenation is an effective route to remove these types of compounds, generating hydrogenated products and halide anions. Photocatalytic systems can provide highly reactive species to break carbon‐halogen bonds, leading to hydrodehalogenation under mild conditions with simple alcohols or amines instead of hazardous stoichiometric reagents. Here, we review significant advances in light‐driven hydrodehalogenation based on different types of photocatalysts for the transformation of halogenated aromatics. We detail the reaction pathways and product distributions. Challenges, key principles and strategies to improve dehalogenation efficiency are also discussed.