Catalytic dechlorination of polychlorinated biphenyls with carbon-supported noble metal catalysts under mild conditions

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were effectively dechlorinated to biphenyl and phenylcyclohexane using a 2-propanol solution of sodium hydroxide in the presence of carbon-supported noble metal catalysts (Pd/C, Rh/C) at the temperatures below 82°C. Total amounts of the dechlorinated aromatic products and chlorine ions after the complete dechlorination were in good agreement with theoretical ones. It was postulated that the dechlorination reaction includes hydrogen transfer from 2-propanol to PCBs.