Photolysis of nitropolychlorodibenzo-p-dioxins with base as potential methodology for the destruction of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins

A series of nitropolychlorodibenzo-p-dioxins (NPCDDs) was found to be stable to base in the dark with one exception, and only slowly destroyed by ultraviolet light λ > 300 nm in the absence of base. However, they photolyzed rapidly in the presence of dilute sodium hydroxide. The reactions were followed using an in vitro bioassay based on the affinity of the substrates for the murine hepatic Ah receptor; this allows the reactions to be followed in extremely dilute solution (μM or less). A possible methodology for the destruction of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins involves nitration followed by photolysis in base.