Photoformation of polychlorinated biphenyls from chlorinated benzenes.

Abstract

IN recent years there has been considerable public concern about polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) residues in the environment. Many studies have indicated the main causes and the present problems with regard to the contamination by PCBs1–6. Little attention has, however, been given to the possible presence of PCBs in many organic chemicals. We report here the formation of PCBs from some chlorinated benzene compounds by sunlight irradiation, and show that these PCBs have different gas–liquid chromatographic (GLC) profiles from the industrial PCBs.