OH-radical reactivity and direct photolysis of triphenyltin hydroxide in aqueous solution

Abstract Photolytic degradation reactions in aqueous solution of the fungicide triphenyltin hydroxide (TPT), a compound with typical physicochemical properties of a persistent organic pollutant (POP) were investigated. The quantum yield is found to be close to unity, Φ TPT,254 ±2 σ =1.25±0.26 at 254 nm ( T =295–298 K). Using nitrobenzene as reference compound the OH-rate constant of TPT was found to be k OH,TPT ±2σ=(9.4±3)×10 9 M −1 s −1 at T =295 K. Although the quantum yield of TPT is among the highest values found for a pesticide, the degradation by sunlight is negligible due to a lack of overlap with the UV-spectrum of TPT. Adopting OH-levels of c OH =2.5×10 −16  M the OH-rate constant of dissolved TPT leads to a lifetime of about 1 week in surface waters. However, the lifetime found is assumed to be a minimum value and the influence of the adsorption of TPT on particles on degradation reactions in the environment should be investigated.