Tandem dehalogenation–hydrogenation reaction of halogenoarenes as model substrates of endocrine disruptors in water: Rhodium nanoparticles in suspension vs. on silica support Original Research Article

This paper focuses on the removal of mono- and poly-halogenated arenes, as model substrates of endocrine disrupting compounds from aqueous effluents. The efficiency of catalysts based on metallic nanoparticles in the tandem dehalogenation–hydrogenation reaction as a pre-treatment for the remediation of organic halogenated pollutants was studied. Two catalytic systems – aqueous colloidal Rh0 dispersions and SiO2-supported Rh0 nanoparticles – were easily prepared under mild conditions and were compared in the hydrodehalogenation reaction of the model substrates. Interesting results in terms of catalytic activity were obtained, particularly with Rh0@SiO2 catalyst, which proved to be more stable and efficient under the reaction conditions.