What is the Fenton Reaction

Fenton chemistry comprises reactions of H2O2 in the presence of iron species to generate reactive species such as the hydroxyl radical OH. These radicals ( = 2.73 V) lead to a more eflident oxidation chemistry than H2O2 itself (E° = 1.80 V). 

The reaction was reported by Henry J. Fenton [140]. This reaction is appHed in the treatment of hazardous organic wastes. A search for Fenton reaction in the website ISI Web of Knowledge [141] throws up thousands of scientific papers due to the exponential growth in its use over the years. It has been reviewed in various papers [142-145]. Below, the reaction pathway in the absence of an organic compound is given  

In the absence of any oxidizable compound, the net reaction is the Fe-catalyzed decomposition of H2O2 (Reaction 6.8). This reaction also occurs when a target 

This chemistry has been investigated and implemented for wastewater minerahza-tion by oxidizing the organic pollutants. The process is very efficient, not selective and, as a consequence, almost all carbon matter can be removed. Topical areas also include soil and aquifer treatments, sometimes in combination with a secondary biotic process [145]. 

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