Formation and decomposition of chloroaromatic compounds in chlorine-containing benzene/oxygen flames

Abstract

Premixed chlorine-containing, fuel-rich, low-pressure benzene/oxygen flames were analysed for the formation of (oxygenated) chloroaromatic compounds and their radicals by means of the condensation/radical-scavenging method (Hausmann, M., Homann, K.-H., 1995. Ber. Busenges. Phys. Chem. 99, 853–862). Several chlorinated organic compounds (methyl chloride, t-butyl chloride, chlorobenzene, chloroform) were used as additives within a maximum concentration of 10% of total fuel. Product identification and quantification were performed by GC/MS. The extent of formation of chloroaromatic compounds in these flames was largest in the cases of chlorobenzene and chloroform as additives. For chlorobenzene, 12 different chloroaromatics could be analysed in between C 7H 7Cl and C 12H 9Cl. Their formation is mainly due to conversion of initial chlorobenzene into substituted or oxidised derivatives, or growth products. Additional chlorination of aromatics is shown to be of minor importance in chlorobenzene-containing flames. Three isomeric ( o/ m/ p) scavenging products could be identified for the chlorophenyl radical. In the chloroform case, 15 chloroaromatics could be analysed in between C 6H 5Cl and C 14H 9Cl. The weak C–Cl bond in chloroform is responsible for the high extent of chloroaromatics formation, either by Cl abstraction from the additive or by chlorination reactions via Cl radicals. Additionally, specific pathways to (di)chloroaromatics and chlorinated fulvene-type structures are outlined via CHCl 2 and CCl 2 radicals.