Reductive degradation / dehalogenation of diclofenac (DCF) — one of the most commonly used anti-inflammatories — occurs efficiently at moderately elevated temperatures between 300°C and 500°C with zero valent iron (iron powder) in a nitrogen atmosphere. The proton donors tested were ethanol and water. The observed production of phenol and cresol and other dehalogenation products indicates that the reaction is not simple pyrolysis, but is rather a reduction. No halogenated organic products were observed. In contrast, oxidative degradation of DCF — for example, electrochemical oxidation or oxidation with ozone or H₂O₂ — led to predominantly chlorinated products. All products resulted were tested via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).

reductive dehalogenation, diclofenac, zero-valent iron