Unexpected decrease of N-Nitrosodimethylamine formation during peroxymonosulfate oxidation: The other side of bromide

Abstract

In this study, bromide ion (Br−) was found to accelerate the degradation of N,N-dimethylhydrazine compounds in peroxymonosulfate (PMS) oxidation and synchronously reduce their N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) formation. Hexamethylenebis (1,1-dimethylsemicarbazide) (HDMS) and daminozide (DMZ) were selected as the model compounds to clarify the mechanisms in the presence or absence of Br− for the PMS batch oxidation experiments. In the absence of Br−, the degradation of the model compounds accompanied by the formation of NDMA was induced by the electron transfer between PMS/singlet oxygen (1O2) and the (CH3)2N-N- groups of the model compounds. In the presence of Br−, the generated hypobromous acid (HOBr) was verified to account for the acceleration of the reaction. The difference in NDMA formation in PMS oxidation and PMS/Br− oxidation was related to the changes in degradation paths. The electron-withdrawing substituents Br or O of PMS or HOBr substituted the N atoms of the model compounds, generating brominated or oxidation products that were hard to be further oxidized, thus decreasing NDMA formation. Moreover, the toxicity of the products in PMS/Br− oxidation was significantly lower than in alone PMS oxidation. This work provides new insight into the unique advantage of Br− during PMS oxidation.