Removal of Sulfonamide Antibiotics in Peracetic Acid-Mediated Natural Polyphenol Systems via an Overlooked Polymerization Pathway: Role of ortho-Quinones

-quinones and form covalent bonds, resulting in the production of less toxic oligomers via the overlooked polymerization pathway. A reduction in the toxicity of the SMX solution was found following treatment with the PCA/PAA system. More interestingly, several polyphenols structurally related to PCA could also facilitate SMX removal using PAA as the oxidant. Overall, this study proposes a novel strategy for developing reactive quinones dominated AOPs with robust anti-interference performance, as well as enhances the understanding of contaminant removal via an overlooked polymerization pathway in natural polyphenol-related AOPs.