Formation of halogenated chloroxylenols through chlorination and their photochemical activity

Trace organic contaminants usually go through multiple treatment units in a modern water treatment train. Structural modification triggered by pretreatment (e.g., prechlorination) may influence the further transformation and fate of contaminants in downstream units. However, knowledge on this aspect is still limited. In this contribution, we investigated the chlorination of chloroxylenol (PCMX), an antimicrobial agent extensively used during COVID-19 pandemic, and the photoreactivity of its halogenated derivatives. Results indicate that chlorination of PCMX mainly proceeded through electrophilic substitution to give chlorinated products, including Cl- and 2Cl-PCMX. The presence of bromide (Br−) resulted in brominated analogues. Owing to the bathochromic and “heavy atom” effects of halogen substituents, these products show increased light absorption and photoreactivity. Toxicity evaluation suggest that these halo-derivatives have higher persistence, bioaccumulation, and toxicity (PBT) than the parent PCMX. Results of this contribution advance our understanding of the transformation of PCMX during chlorination and the photochemical activity of its halogenated derivatives in subsequent UV disinfection process or sunlit surface waters.