Oxidative transformations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons adsorbed on coal fly ash.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons adsorbed onto coal fly ash were found to be stabilized against photochemical decomposition. However, a number of adsorbed polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons will spontaneously oxidize in the absence of light, with those compounds containing a benzylic carbon being particularly susceptible. The decomposition rate appears to be fly ash-dependent.