Radiation induced degradation of ketoprofen in dilute aqueous solution

Abstract The intermediates and final products of ketoprofen degradation were investigated in 0.4 mmol dm −3 solution by pulse radiolysis and gamma radiolysis. For observation of final products UV−vis spectrophotometry and HPLC separation with diode array detection were used, and for identification MS was used. The reactions of • OH lead to hydroxycyclohexadienyl type radical intermediates, in their further reactions hydroxylated derivatives of ketoprofen form as final products. The hydrated electron is scavenged by the carbonyl oxygen and the electron adduct protonates to ketyl radical • OH is more effective in decomposing ketoprofen than hydrated electron. Chemical oxygen demand and total organic carbon content measurements on irradiated aerated solutions showed that using irradiation technology ketoprofen can be mineralised. The initial toxicity of the solution monitored by the Daphnia magna test steadily decreases with irradiation. Using 5 kGy dose no toxicity of the solution was detected with this test.