Identification and characterization of Fenton oxidation products of surfactants by electrospray mass spectrometry and solid phase microextraction gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. 3. Polyethoxylated fatty alcohols and nonylphenols

The Fenton reaction for the degradation of surfactants has been investigated and partial degradation products have been identified and characterized by mass spectrometry for the case of polyethoxylated nonylphenols and fatty alcohols with an average ethoxylation number of 7. The polar water-soluble products were investigated by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) with electrospray ionization (ESI), and the volatile products leaving the mixture during the reaction were trapped by means of solid phase microextraction (SPME) and investigated by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) with EI and CI ionization. The reaction leads to the shortening of the ethoxylic chain and to the oxidation of the terminal part. The formation of volatile aldehydes is also observed, corresponding to fragmentation between the hydrophobic part and the polar head. The extent of mineralization is dependent on peroxide and iron(II) concentrations. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.