Phototransformation mechanism of monuron induced by the triplet benzophenone in aqueous solution

Phototransformation mechanism of monuron induced by the triplet benzophenone in aqueous solution was investigated by laser flash photolysis technique, while quenching of the triplet benzophenone by monuron was studied by nanosecond transient absorption spectroscopy. The transient species in the transient absorption spectra have been identified by quantum chemistry calculations. The results show that under 355-nm irradiation proton transfer between the triplet benzophenone and monuron happens, and monuron radical is formed and followed by dechlorination degradation reactions. This work indicated that in aqueous solution some dissolved natural organic matters are helpful to degradation of the organic pollutants under the sunlight. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.