Degradation of nitrogen-heterocyclic compounds by anodic oxidation and electro-Fenton methods.

This study describes the degradation of nitrogen-heterocyclic compounds (NHCs) by anodic oxidation and electro-Fenton. Using indole as a model nitrogen-heterocyclic compound, the removal of indole reached 68% and 97% by anodic oxidation and electro-Fenton, respectively, while the decay of TOC was 15% and 38% correspondingly. By the analysis of ultraviolet-visible spectra and liquid chromatography/mass spectrum, the degradation mechanism of indole by electro-Fenton was proposed as hydroxyl oxidation and anodic oxidation. The degradation of other NHCs including quinoline, isoquinoline and pyridine by anodic oxidation and electro-Fenton revealed the same sequence: quinoline approximately equal isoquinoline > indole > pyridine. A significant correlation between ln k (natural logarithm of rate constants) and E(LUMO) (the energy of the lowest unoccupied molecular orbit) was obtained by quantitative structure-activity relationship analysis. Degradation of coking plant wastewater showed the removal of COD and TOC were 42% and 22% respectively after 180 min treatment by electro-Fenton.