Chlorination in dilute aqueous systems; 2,4,6-trichlorophenol.

Chlorination of wastewaters can cause extensive transformations of organic contaminants. In the case of phenol, the reaction path is only partially understood. In an effort to elucidate this reaction, 2,4,6-trichlorophenol in dilute aqueous solution was treated with excess hypochlorous acid at pH 3.5-6. The major products were 2,6-dichloroquinone and 2,4,4,6-tetrachloro-2,5-cyclohexadienone. Additional polychlorinated species are formed in minor amounts by the addition of chlorine and/or hypochlorous acid to the aromatic ring.