Degradation of Pesticides by Ferric Reagents and Peroxide in the Presence of Light

This invention relates to the degradation of organic pesticides, notably aromatic compounds such as chlorinated aromatics, by ferric reagents to form inorganic wastes.

Chlorinated hydrocarbon, organophosphorus, organonitrogen, organometallic, and the like pesticide compounds number among the hazardous wastes that require special methods for disposal because of their toxic, refractory, or persistent properties. Many of these compounds that do not degrade pose a threat to biota and/or human populations. Concern about the potential hazards associated with the compounds has resulted in numerous recent laws and policies that require the cleanup of contaminated soil, sediments, surface water, and wastewater.

A number of disposal techniques have been suggested for various types of these toxic chemicals (see reviews by Munnecke, D. M., 70 Residue Rev. 1-26 (1979) and Ehart, O. R., 1985 National Workshop on Pesticide Waste Disposal Proceedings EPA/600/9-85/030, pages 2 to 11 . Physical methods include entrapment, burial, adsorption, flocculation, and the like (reviewed by Nye, J. C., 1985 National Workshop on Pesticide Waste Disposal Proceedings, cited above, pages 43 to 480); an example is the activated charcoal detoxification of pesticides disclosed by Scott in U.S. Pat. No. 4,585,753. Chemical methods include oxidation, reduction, hydrolysis, conjugation, irradiation, and the like (reviewed by Honeycutt, R. C., 1985 National Workshop on Pesticide Waste Disposal Proceedings, cited above, pages 72 to 85); examples include incineration (discussed by Ferguson, T. L., and Wilkinson, R. R., in Krueger, R. F., and Seiber, J. N., eds., Treatment and Disposal of Pesticide Wastes, ACS, 1984, chapter 11, pages 181 to 191), thiosulfate oxidation using hydrogen peroxide and copper disclosed by Walton and Rutz in U.S. Pat. No. 4,569,769, and the microwave plasma detoxification process described in Bailin, L. J., et al., 12 Environ. Sci. Techn ol. 673-679 (1978). Biological methods include degradation by enzymes and microorganisms (Schmidt, C., 1986 National Workshop on Pesticide Waste Disposal Proceedings, EPA/600/9-87/001, pages 45 to 52, and Johnson, L. M., and Talbot, H. W., 39 Experientia 1236-1246 (1983)).

Waste treatment systems employing Fenton's reagent, i.e., hydrogen peroxide containing ferrous ions, have been suggested for the degradation of chlorobenzene, phenols, formaldehyde, s-triazine herbicides and octachloro-p-dibenzo-dioxin (Plimmer, J. R., et al., 19 J. Agr. Food Chem. 572-573 (1971), Watts, R. J., et al., Extended Abstracts #198th ACS Meeting, Env. Chem. Div., 1989, pages 346-349, and Sedlak, D. L., and Andren, A. W., 25 Environ. Sci. Technol. 777-782 (1991)). Treatment of hazardous wastes with Fenton's reagent "has its limitations. Non-polar organic molecules like polycyclic aromatics, benzene, mesitylene or hydrocarbons with long carbon chains are especially difficult to destroy" (Eul, W., et al., "Hydrogen Peroxide-Based Treatment Technology for Hazardous Waste," Emerging Technologies in Hazardous Waste Management, ACS Symposium No. 422, 1990, 1-35 at 29).

Iron hydroxide finely dispersed on inorganic supports that are unreactive to HO.degree., including silica and montmorillonite clay, have been disclosed to improve the efficiency of waste water treatments using H.sub.2 O.sub.2 (Mill, T., and Haag, W. R., Preprints of Extended Abstracts, 198th Nat. Meeting Amer. Chem. Soc., Div. Env. Chem., A.C.S., Washington, 1969, paper 155, pp. 342-345). Phenol has been photocatalytically oxidized in the presence of hydrogen peroxide and titanium dioxide powders in the presence and absence of ferric ions (Wei, T. Y., et al., J. Photochem. Photobiol. A: Chem., 55: 115-126 (1990). Dilute aqueous formaldehyde waste solutions have been neutralized by ferric chloride and hydrogen peroxide in a process developed for treating Bureau of Reclamation reverse osmosis desalting membrane storage solutions (Murphy, A. P., et al., 23 Environ. Sci. Technol. 166-169 (1989)). However, Barbeni, M., et al., found the addition of ferric ions instead of ferrous inconsequential in the chemical degradation of chlorophenols by Fenton's reagent (16 Chemosphere 2225-2237 (1987) at 2229 and FIG. 4 on 2232).

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new method for degrading pesticides. It is another object of the present invention to provide a method for decontaminating equipment. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a degradation method that employs environmentally benign and inexpensive reagents and equipment, and yields virtually complete mineralization of the pesticides.

These and other objects are achieved by the present invention, which describes methods of degrading pesticides of the type having a formula containing more than one carbon atom, notably aromatics, under mild conditions using ferric reagents. Preferred embodiments achieve substantial mineralization of the pesticides by contacting them in an oxygenated acidic aqueous solution with ferric ion in an amount and for a time effective to achieve substantial mineralization. Degradations conducted in the dark require an oxidizing agent such as a peroxide; hydrogen peroxide is preferred. In light, peroxide (or other oxidizing agent) is not required, but it greatly accelerates degradation. In one embodiment, pesticides are degraded in aqueous solutions having a pH of about 1.5 to about 3.5, preferably about 2.5 to about 3.0, by ferric ion in light for a time effective to achieve substantial mineralization. In another embodiment, pesticides are degraded in aqueous solutions having a pH of about 1.5 to about 3.5, preferably about 2.5 to about 3.0, by contacting the pesticide with a composition comprising ferric ion and peroxide in the presence or in the absence of light. Preferred methods are conducted in absence of large concentrations of organic solvents, chloride, and sulfate.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show the ferric reagent-catalyzed oxidation of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid using the method described in Example 1. The herbicide concentration is 0.1 mM and the iron concentration is 1.0 mM. FIG. 1 is the perchlorate solution 0.2M in sodium perchlorate and 2.5 mM in peroxide. FIG. 2 is the sulfate solution, is 10 mM in peroxide.

FIG. 3 shows the ferric reagent mineralization of ring-uniformly labelled(UL)-.sup.14 C-2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid at a pH of 2.8 as described in Example 1. The reaction mixture contains 0.2 mM (1.times.10.sup.4 disintegrations per minute (DPM)/ml) herbicide, 1.0 mM ferric ion, 10 mM peroxide and 0.2M sodium perchlorate. DCP is 2,4-dichlorophenol.

FIG. 4 shows the comparative yields of .sup.14 CO.sub.2 from carboxy-.sup.14 C-2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid in chloride and in perchlorate reaction media at pH 2.75 as set out in Example 1. The mixtures are 0.1 mM (1.times.10.sup.4 DPM/ml) in herbicide, 1.0 mM in iron, and 10 mM in peroxide.

FIG. 4 plots the ferric-catalyzed decomposition of the hydrogen peroxide control described in Example 1. The initial reaction mixture contains 0.99 mM Fe.sup.+3, 100 mM H.sub.2 O.sub.2, and 0.2M NaClO.sub.4. The k.sub.obs incorporates ferric ion and hydrogen ion concentration terms

FIGS. 7 and 8 show the photo-assisted ferric reagent degradation of ring-labelled 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid at pH 2.7 using the method of Example 1. The reaction is 0.1 mM (1.times.10.sup.4 DPM/ml) in labelled herbicide, 1.0 mM in ferric perchlorate, 10 mM in peroxide, and 0.2M in sodium perchlorate. Iron and hydrogen peroxide are present in the reactions plotted in FIG. 7, with `a` being bright light and `b`, the dark reaction. In FIG. 8, alpha is bright light and iron alone, beta is bright light and peroxide alone, and theta is dark with iron alone.

FIG. 9 shows the photo-assisted ferric reagent mineralization of ring-labelled 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid as a function of peroxide concentration in bright light as described in Example 1 . Peroxide concentrations vary as follows: -- 0.1 mM, -- 0.2 mM, .gradient.--.gradient. 0.4 mM, .DELTA.--.DELTA. 0.5 mM, -- 2 mM, .largecircle.--.largecircle.5 mM, and .quadrature.--.quadrature. 10 mM. Other conditions are as set out for FIGS. 7 and 8 above.

FIG. 10 shows the ferric reagent mineralization of ring-labelled 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid at pH 2.75. Initial concentrations are 0.175 mM (1.times.10.sup.4 DPM/ml) in labelled herbicide, 1.0 mM in ferric ion, 10.2 mM in peroxide, and 0.2M in sodium perchlorate.

FIGS. 11 and 12 show the photo-assisted ferric reagent degradation of ring-labelled 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid at pH 2.7 using the method of Example 2. The reaction is 0.1 mM in labelled herbicide, 1.0 mM in ferric perchlorate, 10 mM in peroxide, and 0.2M in sodium perchlorate. Reactions `a`, `b`, and `c` all have iron and peroxide present; `a` is carried in the presence of bright light, `b`, in the dark, and `c`, in dim light. Alpha denotes a reaction carried out in bright light with iron alone, beta, bright light and peroxide alone, and theta is dark with iron alone.

FIG. 13 shows the reaction of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid with hydrogen peroxide and ferrous ion at pH 1.8 as described in Example 3. The reaction is 0.1 mM in herbicide, 0.99 mM in ferrous sulfate, and 0.96 mM in peroxide.

FIG. 14 shows the Fenton oxidation of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid at different pHs (adjusted with sulfuric acid) as described in Example 3. The reactions are 0.1M in herbicide, 0.246M in ferrous ion, and 0.126 mM in peroxide. DCP is 2,4-dichlorophenol.

FIG. 15 shows a comparison the ferric reagent of this invention (Fe.sup.+3 /H.sub.2 O.sub.2) with Fe.sup.+2 /H.sub.2 O.sub.2 under optimal conditions employed for ferric reagent in the mineralization of ring-labelled 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid at a pH of 2.7 as described in Example 3. The reactions are 0.1 mM 1.times.10.sup.4 DPM/ml in labelled herbicide, 1.0 mM in iron (perchlorate salts), 10 mM in peroxide and 0.2M in sodium perchlorate.

FIG. 16 shows the degradation of ring-UL-.sup.14 C-atrazine in the dark with 1 mM ferric perchlorate, 10 mM hydrogen peroxide at pH 2.75, and 0.2M sodium perchlorate.

In the practice of this invention, aqueous, acidic ferric reagents are employed to degrade, preferably to substantially mineralize, organic pesticides of the type having a formula containing more than one carbon atom, notably aromatics, under mild conditions. Degradation reactions carried out in the dark require oxygen and added oxidizing agent such as peroxide. Reactions carried out in light do not require peroxide or other oxidizing agent except oxygen, but adding such an agent greatly accelerates the degradation. Preferred ferric reagents contain ferric ion and hydrogen peroxide. The reaction is preferably carried out at pHs ranging between about 1.5 and about 3.5, more preferably between about 2.5 and about 3.0.

With an inorganic or organic chelating agent, the reaction can be carried out at higher pH's, such as, for example, about pH 3.5 to about 6.0. Example chelating agents include gallic acid (3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoic acid), picolinic acid (pyridine-2-carboxylic acid), and rhodizonic acid.

Any acid can be employed to adjust the pH. Preferred acids are perchloric and nitric.

The ferric reagents employed in the degradation methods of this invention are prepared from ferric salts. Any water soluble ferric salt can be employed, but ferric chloride and ferric sulfate are not preferred. Example ferric salts include, but are not limited to, ferric perchlorate, ferric nitrate, ferric citrate, ferric malate, ferric lactate, ferric oxalate, and the like.

Where ferric ions are employed to degrade pesticides in the absence of peroxide or other oxidizing agent other than oxygen, the ferric salts can be either dissolved as solids in aqueous pesticide solutions or added to the pesticide as a stock ferric solutions; adding ferric solutions is preferred. Where peroxide or other oxidizing agent is used in concert with ferric ion to degrade pesticides, the agent can be added with the ferric ion or before or after adding ferric ion. The amounts of added ferric salts are not critical in the dark reaction, but in the light preferred ferric concentrations in the initial degradation reaction mixtures range between about 0.2 mM to about 2.5 mM.

Certain anions, including chloride and sulfate, inhibit the degradation reaction at high concentrations. Large concentrations of organic solvents such as methanol also inhibit the reaction. Therefore, the ferric reagents of this invention are preferably employed in the absence of large concentrations of chloride, sulfate, and organic solvents.

Degradation of pesticides occurs on incubation of the pesticide with ferric ion in light. In this embodiment, pesticides are degraded in aqueous solutions having a pH of about 1.5 to about 3.5, preferably about 2.5 to about 3.0, by contacting the pesticides with ferric ion in light for a time effective to achieve substantial, i.e., at least about 25% to about 30%, mineralization. By "mineralization" is meant conversion of the organic pesticide to inorganic compounds.

Bright light is preferred. By "bright" light is meant light having an intensity of at least about 1.2 mW/cm.sup.2 in the visible region (400 to 700 nm) and at least about 0.035 mW/cm.sup.2 in the near ultraviolet (UV, 290 to 385 nm). As is illustrated in the Examples to follow, the reaction proceeds in dim light (about 20 times less intense). Moreover, the reaction proceeds in light of near UV wavelength (.about.300 to .about.400 nm). However, even in bright light, the degradation reaction can be relatively slow for some pesticides (e.g., only about 20 to 35% mineralization in about 10 hours).

The light reaction may be accelerated by adding an oxidizing agent other than oxygen such as a peroxide, preferably hydrogen peroxide. Oxidizing agents include but are not limited to perborate, organoperoxides and hydrogen peroxide. Therefore, peroxide, especially hydrogen peroxide, is a component of preferred ferric reagents of this invention.

Peroxide may be added to degradation reaction mixtures before, after, or with the ferric ion. Adding peroxide after the iron is preferred. Peroxide is preferably employed in amounts ranging from about 1 mM to about 500 mM in the mixture. Increasing the peroxide concentration generally increases the rate of mineralization of the pesticides.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, pesticides are contacted, in an aqueous solution having a pH of about 1.5 to about 3.5, preferably about 2.5 to about 3.0, with a composition comprising ferric ion and hydrogen peroxide, each in amounts and for a time effective to achieve substantial mineralization of the pesticide. At least about 25% to 30% mineralization, more preferably about 50% or greater, even more preferably about 75% or greater, is preferred. Some embodiments achieve about 95% or greater mineralization. The degradation can proceed in the absence or the presence of light. Light is preferred.

By the term "pesticide" is meant compounds of the type having a formula containing more than one carbon atom, used to destroy pests, including herbicides, fungicides insecticides, rodenticides, and the like. Unsaturated pesticides, notably aromatic pesticides, are especially susceptible to degradation by the ferric reagents of this invention. Using the terminology of the Farm Chemicals Handbook 1990, Example pesticides include, but are not limited to flucythrinate/phorate (Aastar.TM., O,O-diethyl-S-((ethylthio)methyl)phosphoro-dithioate) and cyano(3-phenoxyphenyl)methyl-4-(difluromethoxy)alpha(1-methyl-ethyl)benzen e acetate); temephos (Abate.TM., O,O'-(thiodi-4,1-phenylene)bis (O,O-dimethyl phosphorothioate); bromopropylate (Acarol.TM., isopropyl 4,4'-dibromobenzilate); acetochlor (Acenit.TM., 2-chloro-N-ethoxymethyl-6'-ethylacet-o-toluidide), aclonifen (2-chloro-6-nitro-3-phenoxy aniline) carbosulfan (Advantage.TM., 2,3-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-7-benzofuranyl ((dibutylamino)thio)methyl carbamate); trichloronate (Agritox.TM.), Akton.TM. (O,O-diethyl O-(2-chloro-1-(2,5-dichlorophenyl) vinyl) phosphorothioate); alachlor (2-chloro-2'-6'-diethyl-N-(methoxymethyl)-acetanilide), aldoxycarb (2-methyl-2-methylsulfonyl) propanyl O-((methylamino)carbonyl)oxime) clofop-isobutyl (Alopex.TM., 2-(4-(4'-chlorophenoxy)-phenoxy)-isobutyl-propionate); alpha-cypermethrin (cyclopropanecarboxylic acid, 3-(2,2-dichloroethenyl)-2,2-dimethyl-cyano (3-phenoxyphenyl)methyl ester); alpha-napthenylacetic acid, triflumuron (Alsystin.TM., 2-chloro-N-(((4-(trifluoromethoxyphenyl)aminocarbonyl) benzamide); chloramben (Amiben.TM., 3-amino-2,5-dichlorobenzoic acid), DAEP (Amiphos.TM., O,O-dimethyl-S-2 (acetylamino)ethyldithiophosphate); amitraz (N-methylbis(2,4-xylyliminomethyl) amine); amlure (propyl 1,4-benzodioxan-2-carboxylate), amobam (diammonium ethylene bisdithiocarbamate); tetrasul (Animert V-101.TM., 4-chlorphenyl 2,4,5-trichlorophenyl sulfide); anthraquinone (9,10-anthraquinone); diethatyl ethyl (Antor.TM., N-(chloroacetyl)-N-(2,6-diethylphenyl)glycine ethyl ester); IPSP (Aphidan.TM., O,O-diisopropyl-S-ethylsulfinyl methyl dithiophosphate); niagramite (Aramite.TM., 2(p-tert butylphenoxy)-isopropyl 2-chloroethyl sulfite); monolinuron (Aresin.TM., N-(4-chlorophenyl)-N' methoxy-N'-methylurea); esfenvalerate (Asana.TM., (S)-cyano(3-phenoxyphenyl)methyl-(S)-4-chloro-alpha (1-methylethyl) benzene acetate); Aaulam (methyl sulfanilylcarbamate); terbucarb (Azak.TM., 2,6-di-tert-butyl-p-tolyl methylcarbmnate); Azithiram.TM. (bisdimethylaminocarbamoyl disulfide); Banair.TM. (2-methoxy-3,6-dichlorobenzene); bensultap (Bancol.TM., S,S'-2-dimethylaminotrimethylene di(benzene-thiosulphonate); dimethylamine salt of dicamba (Banvel.TM., dimethylamine salt of 2-methoxy-3,6-dichlorobenzoic acid or dimethylamine salt of 3,6-dichloro-o-anisic acid); bentazon (Basagran.TM., 3-isopropyl-1H-2,1,3-benzothiadiazin-4(3H)-one 2,2-dioxide); niclosamide (Bayluscid.TM., 5-chloro-N-(2-chloro-4-nitrophenyl)-2-hydroxybenzamide compound respectively with 2-aminoethanol (1:1)); phoxim (Baythion.TM., 2-(((diethoxyphosphinothioyl)oxy)imino) benzene-acetonitrile); chlorphoxim (Baythion C.TM., 7(2-chlorophenyl)-4-ethoxy-3,5-dioxa-6-aza-4-phosphos-phaoct-6-ene-8-nitri le-4-sulfide); benazolin (4-chloro-2-oxobenzothiazolin-3-ylacetic acid); Bendiocarb.TM. (2,2-dimethyl-1,3-benzodixol-4-yl methylcarbamate); benodanil (2-iodo-N phenylbenzamide); exporsan (Bensulide.TM., S-(O,O-diisopropyl phosphorodithioate) ester of N-(2-mercaptoethyl) benzenesulfonamide); BTC (benzalkonium chloride, alkyl dimethyl benzylammonium chloride); benzomate (JMAF) (benzoximate, ethyl O-benzoyl 3-chloro-2,6 dimeth-oxybenzohydroximate); chlorfenprop-methyl (Bidsin.TM., 2-chloro-3(4-chlorophenyl)methylpropionate); bifenox (methyl 5-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)-2-nitroben-zoate); sulfotep (Bladafum.TM., tetraethyl thiodiphosphate); sulprofos (Bolstar.TM., O-ethyl-O-(4-(methylthio) phenyl)-S-propyl phosphorodithioate); bomyl (dimethyl 3-hydroxy glutaconate dimethyl phosphate); fenobcarb (BPMC, 2-(1-methylpropyl) phenyl methylcarbamate); Brodifacoum.TM. (3-(3-(4'-bromo(1,1'-biphenyl)-4-yl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1-napthalenyl)-4-h ydroxy-2H-1-benzopyran-2-one); Bromadiolone.TM. (3-(3-(4'-bromo(1,1'-biphenyl)-4-yl)-3-hydroxy-1-phenylpropyl)-4-hydroxy-2 H-1-benzopyran-2-one); Bromophos.TM. (O(-4-bromo-2,5-dichlorophenyl)-0, 0-dimethylphosphorothioate); bromophosethyl (O-(4-bromo-2,5-dichlorophenyl) O,O-diethylphosphorothioate); Bromoxynil.TM. (3,5-dibromo-4-hydroxybenzonitrile); Bronopol.TM. (2-bromo-2-nitropropan-1,3-diol); Buban 37.TM. (3', 5'-dinitro-4'-(di-n-propylamino) aceto-phenone); Butacarb.TM. (3,5-di-t-butylphenyl N-methylcarbamate); Butachlor.TM. (2-chloro-2',6'-diethyl-N-(butoxy methyl) acetanilide); Butonate.TM. (O,O-dimethyl-2,2,2-trichloro-1-n-butyryl-oxethyl phosphonate); Butylate.TM. (S-ethyl diisobutylthiocarbamate+inert safener); bufencarb (Bux.TM., amorphous SiO.sub.2); promecarb (Carbamult.TM., 3-methyl-5-isopropylphenyl-N-methyl-carbamate); Carbaryl.TM. (1-naphthyl N-methylcarbamate); Carbetamide.TM. (N-ethyl-2-(((phenylamino)carbonyl)oxy) propanamide(D)-isomer) Carbofuran.TM. (2,3 dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-7-benzofuranyl methylcarbamate); Carboxin.TM. (5,6-dihydro-2-methyl-N-phenyl-1,4-oxathiin-3-carboxamide); barban (Carbyne.TM., 4-chloro-2-butynyl m-chlorocarbanilate); formetanate hydrochloride (Carzol.TM., (3-dimethylamino-(methyleneimino phenyl))N-methylcarbamate hydrochloride); pyrocatechol (Catechol.TM., O-Dihydroxybenzene); Cellocidin.TM. (acetylene dicarboxamide); bequinox (Ceredon.TM., 1,4-benzoquinone N'-benzoylhydrazone oxime); Chlomethoxynil.TM. (2,4-dichlorphenyl 3-methoxy-4-nitrophenyl-ether); Chloranil.TM. (2,3,5,6-tetrachloro-1,4-benzoquinone); Chlorbenside.TM. (p-chlorobenzyl p-chlorophenyl sulfide); Chlordimeform.TM. (N'-(4-chloro-o-tolyl)-N,N-dimethyl-forma-midine); Chlorfenson.TM. (4-chlorophenyl-4-chlorobenzene sulphonate); Chlorfensulphide.TM. (4-chlorophenyl 2,4,5-trichlorophenylazo sulphide); chlorflurecol-methyl ester (Chlorflurenol.TM., methyl 2-chloro-9-hydroxyfluorene-9-carboxylate, methyl-9-hydroxyfluorene-9-carboxylate); Chlormephos.TM. (S-chlormethyl-O,O-diethyl phosphoro-dithioate); Chlorophacinone.TM. (2-((p-chlorophenyl)phenylacetyl)-1,3 indandione); Chlorophenoxy Propionic Acid.TM. (2-(3-chlorophenoxy)-propionic acid); Chlorotoluron.TM. (N'-(3-chloro-4-methylphenyl)-N-',-dimethyl urea); Chloroxynil.TM. (3,5-dichloro-4-hydroxybenzonitrile); Chlorphoxim.TM. (isopropyl m-chlorocarbanilate); Chlorpropham.TM. (mixture of 3 isomers: (1) O-2,5-dichloro-4(methylthio)phenyl phosphorothoic acid O,O-diethyl ester (2) 0,2,4-dichloro-5-(methylthio)phenyl phosphorothoic acid O,O-diethyl ester (3) 0,4,5-dichloro-2-(methylthio) phenyl phosphorothoic acid O,O-diethyl ester); chlornitrofen (CNP.TM., 2,4,6-trichlorophenyl-4-nitrophenyl ether); CGA-92194 (Concep II.TM., N-(1,3-dioxolan-2-yl-methoxy)-iminobenzene-acetonitrile); Conen.TM. (O-butyl-S-benzyl-S-ethyl phosphorodithioate); Coumochlor.TM.; 4-CPA.TM. (parachlorophenoxyacetic acid); ethiofencarb (Croneton.TM., 2-(ethylthiomethyl) phenyl methylcarbamate); Crotoxyphos.TM. (dimethyl phosphate of alpha-methylbenzyl 3-hydroxy-cis-crotonate); profenfos (Curcacron.TM., O-(4-bromo-2-chlorophenyl)-O-ethyl S-propyl phosphorthioate); Cyanofenphos.TM. (4-cyanophenylethylphenyl phosphonothioate); Cyanphos.TM. (O-4-cyanophenyl O,O-dimethyl phosphoro-thioate); mephosfolan (Cytrolane.TM., 2-(diethoxyphosphinylimino)-4-methyl-1,3-dithiolane); 2,4-D.TM. ((2,4-dichlorophenoxy) acetic acid); DCPA (Dacthal.TM., dimethyltetrachloroterephthalate); PTMD (Danifos.TM., S-((p-Chlorophenl) thio)methyl)O,O-diethyl phosphorothioate); fensulfothion (Dasanit.TM., O,O-diethyl O-(4-methylsulfinyl)phenyl) phosphorothioate); 2,4-DB.TM. (4-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy) butyric acid); DCNA.TM. (2,6-dichloro-4-nitroaniline); 2,4-DEB.TM. (2,4-dichlorophenoxyethyl benzoate); butifos (DEF.TM., S,S,S,-tributylphosphorotrithioate); 2,4-D acetate (Defy.TM.); Demephion-S.TM. (O,O-dimethyl S-(2(methylthio)ethyl) phosphorothioate); Desmedipham.TM. (C.sub.16 H.sub.16 N.sub.2 O.sub.4); napropamide (Devrinol.TM., 2-(a-naphthoxy)-N,N-diethylpropionamide); bromsalans (Diaphene.TM., a halogenated salicylanilide); dibutyl phthalate; Dicamba.TM. (2-methoxy-3,6-dichlorobenzoic acid); Dichlofenthion.TM. (O-2,4-dichlorophenyl O,O-diethylphosphoro-thioate); Dichlone.TM.; Dichlorprop.TM. (2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)propionic acid); dichlorprop-P.TM. ((R)-2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy) propionic acid); chloranocryl (Dicryl.TM.); Diethofencarb.TM. (isopropyl 3,4-diethoxyphenylcarbamate); Dimanin.TM. (alkyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride); Dimethoate.TM. (O,O-dimethyl-S-(N-methylcarbamoylmethyl) phosphorodithioate); Dimethyl Phthalate.TM.; Diphenamid.TM. (N N-dimethyl-2,2-diphenylacetamide); dipan (Diphenatrile.TM.); Diphenylamine.TM.; Disulfoton.TM. (O,O-diethyl S-(2-(ethylthio)ethyl))phosphoro-dithioate); oxydisulfoton (Disyston S.TM., O,O-diethyl S-(2-(ethylsulfinyl) ethyl) phosphorodithioate); Ditalimfos.TM. (O,O-diethyl phthalimido-phosphonothioate); Dithianon.TM. (5,10-dihydor-5,10-dioxonaphtho(2,3b)-p-dithiin-2,3-dicarbonitrile); Diuron.TM. (3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea+N'-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-N,N-dimet hylurea); 2-phenylphenol (Dowicide 1.TM., 99% orthophenylphenol); Dowicide A.TM. (97% Sodium o-phenylphenate); thiocarbazil (Drepamon.TM., S-benzyl N,N-di-sec-butylthiolcarbamate); fonofos (Dyfonate.TM., 0-ethyl-S-phenylethylphosphonodithioate); Edifenphos.TM. (0,ethyl S,S-diphenyl phosphorodithioate); isoxaben (E1-107.TM., N-(3-(1-ethyl-1-methylpropyl)-5-isoxazolyl))-2,6-dimethoxybenzamide); dioxacarb (Elocron.TM., 2-(1,3-dioxalan-2-yl)phenyl-N-methylcarbamate); Endothion.TM.; alpha-chlorohydrin (Epibloc.TM., 3-chloro-1,2-propanediol); EPN.TM. (0-ethyl 0(4-nitrophenylphenylphosphonothioate); buturon (Eptapur.TM.); eptam (EPTC.TM., S-ethyl dipropylthiocarbamate); Ethiolate.TM. (S-ethyl diethylthiocarbamate); Ethion.TM. (0,0,0,0-tetraethyl S,S-methylene bis (phosphorodithioate); Ethoprop.TM. (0-Eehyl S,S-dipropyl phosphorodithioate); chlorfenac (Fenatrol.TM., (2,3,6-trichlorophenyl) acetic acid); Fenfuram.TM. (2-methyl-furan-3-carboxanilide); Fenoxaprop-Ethyl.TM. ((.+-.)-ethyl 2-(4-((6-chloro-2-benzoxazolyl) oxy)-phenoxy)propanoate); Fenoxycarb.TM. (ethyl (2-(4-phenoxyphenoxy)ethyl)carbamate); Fenpropimorph.TM. ((.+-.)-cis-4-(3-tert-butylphenyl)-2-methylpropyl)-2,6-dimethylmorpholine) ; Fenthion.TM. (O,O-dimethyl 0-(3-methyl-4-(methylthio) phenyl)phosphorothioate); Fenuron.TM. (3-phenyl-1,1-dimethylurea); Fenvaler ate.TM. ((RS)-alpha-cyano-3-phenoxybenzyl (RS)-2-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-methylbutyrate); Ferbam.TM. (ferric dimethyldithiocarbamate); ethychlozate (Figaron.TM., ethyl 5-chloro-3-(1H)-indazolyl-acetate); ethoate-methyl (Fitios B/77.TM., N-ethylamide of O,O-dimethyl dithiophosphorylacetic acid); flurecol-n-butylester (Flurecol.TM., n-butyl-9-hydroxyfluorene-9-carboxylate); tribufos (Folex 6EC.TM., S,S,S-tributyl phosphotrithioate); omethoate (Folimat.TM., O,O-dimethyl S-(2-(methylamino)-2-oxothyl)) phosphorothioate); furalaxyl (Fongarid.TM., methyl N-2,6-dimethylphenyul-N-furoyl(2)-alaninate); phosethyl Al (Fosetyl-Al.TM., aluminum tris(0-ethyl phosphonate); 3-CPA (Fruitone CPA.TM., 2-(3-chlorophenoxy) propionic acid); fuberidazole (Fuberidazol.TM., 2(2'-furyl)-1H-benzimidazole); Fujithion.TM. (S-(p-chlorophenyl) O,O-dimethyl phosphoro-thioate); benalaxyl (Galben.TM., methyl-N-phenylacethyl-N-2,6-xylylaninate); Gallic Acid.TM.; benazolin (Galtak.TM., 4-chloro-2-oxobenzothiazolin-3-ylacetic acid); benzthiazuron (Gatnon.TM., N-2-benzothiazoly)-N'-methylurea); phorazetim (Gophacide.TM., O,O-bis(p-chlorophenyl) acetimodyl-phosphoramidothioate); Griseofulvin.TM. (7-chloro-4,6-dimethoxycoumaran-3-one-2-spiro-1-(2'-methoxy-6' methylcyclohex-2'-en-4'-one); EXD (Herbisan #5.TM., diethyl dithiobis (thinoformate): Hexachlorophene.TM. (2,2'methylene bis(3,4,6-trichlorophenol); diclofop-methyl (Hoelon 3EC.TM., 2-(4-(2',4'-dichlorophenoxy)-phenoxy) methyl propanoate); isothioate (Hosdon.TM.); allyxycarb (Hydrol.TM., 4-Diallylamino-3,5-dimethylphenyl-N-methylcarbamate); IBP.TM. (O,O-diisopropyl-S-benzyl thiophosphate); Indole-3-Acetic Acid.TM.; IBA (indole-3-butyric Acid.TM., indole-3-butyric Acid); Ioxynil.TM. (4-hydroxy-3,5-diiodobenzonitrile); propham (IPC.TM., isopropyl carbanilate); Isofenphos.TM. (1-methylethyl 2-(ethoxy((1-methylethyl)-amino)phosphinothioyl)oxy)benzoate); Isopropyl Ester 2,4-D.TM. (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, isopropyl ester); Isoproturon.TM. (N-(4-isopropylphenyl)-N',N,-dimethylurea); Karbutilate.TM.; isoxathion (Karphos.TM., O,O-diethyl-0-(5-phenyl-3-isoxazoly) phosphorothioate); Karsil.TM. (N-(3,4-Dichlorophenyl)-2-methyl pentanamide); pronamide (Kerb.TM., 3,5-dichloro-N-(1,1-dimethyl-2-propynyl) benzamide); Kinoprene.TM. (2-propynl (E,E)-3,7,11-trimethyl-2,4-dode-cadienoate); Landrin.TM. (Approx. 4:1 ratio of 3,4,5- and 2,3,5- isomers of trimethylphenyl methylcarbamate); alachlor (Lasso.TM., 2-chloro-2',6'-diethyl-N-(methoxymethyl)-acetanilide); fenaminosulf (Lesan.TM., sodium (4-(dimethylamino)phenyl) diazene sulfonate); Linuron.TM. (3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1-methoxy-1-methylurea); difenoxuron (Lironion.TM., N-4-(p-methoxy-phenoxy)-phenyl)-N',N'-dimethylurea); Malathion.TM. (O,O-dimethyl phosphorodithoate of diethyl mercaptosuccinate); chlorbromuron (Maloran.TM., 3-(4-bromo-3-chlorphenyl)-1-methoxy-1-methylurea); aminocarb (Metacil.TM.); MCPA.TM. ((4-chloro-2-methylphenoxy) acetic acid); MCPB.TM. (4-((4-chloro-o-tolyl)oxyl) butyric acid); MCPCA.TM. (2'-chloro-2-(4-chloro-o-tolyoxy) acetanilide); MCPP (Potassium Salt).TM. (potassium salt of 2-(2-methyl-40-chlorophenoxy) propionic acid); Mecarphon.TM. (S-(N-methoxycarbonyl-N-methylcar bamoylmethyl) dimethyl phosphonothiothioate); MCPP (Mecoprop.TM., 2-(4-chloro-2-methylphenoxy) propionic acid); Mecoprop-P.TM. ((R)-2-(4-chloro-2-methylphenoxy)propionic acid); xylylcarb (Meobal.TM., 3,4-dimethylphenylmethylcarbamate); Mepronil.TM. (3'-isopropoxy-2-methylbenzanilide); Metaldehyde.TM. (polymer of acetaldehyde); Metam-sodium.TM. (sodium N-methyldithiocarbamate); demeton methyl (Metasystox.TM., S-(2-ethylthioethyl)O,O-dimethyl phosphorothioate); demeton-S-methyl (Metasystoxi.TM., S-(2(ethylthio)ethyl)0,0-dimethylphosphoro-thioate); demeton-S-methyl sulfoxid (metasystox-R.TM., s-(2-ethylsulfinyl)ethyl)O,O-dimethyl); Methiocarb.TM. (3,5-dimethyl-4-(methylthio)phenol methylcarbamate); Methiuron.TM. (1-(m-methylphenyl)-3,3-dimethylthio-urea); Methyl Eugenol.TM. ((4-allyl-1,2 dimethoxybenzene); Metobromuron.TM. (3-(4-bromophenyl)-1-methoxy-1-methylurea); Metolachlor.TM.( 2-chloro-N-(2-ethyl-6-methylphenyl)-N-(2-methoxy-1-methylethyl)acetamide); Metoxuron.TM. (N-(3-chloro-4-methoxyphenyl)-N,N-dimethyl-urea); Mexacarbate.TM. (4-dimethylamino-3,5-xylyl N-methylcarbamate); Mibex.TM. (4-chlorophenyl-2,4,5-trichlorophenyl-azosulfide mixed with 1,1-bis-(4-chlorophenyl) ethanol); isoprocarb (MIPC.TM., 2-(1-methylethyl)phenyl methylcarbamate); ACN (Mogeton G.TM., 2-amino-3-chloro 1,4-naphthoquinone); Monocrotophos.TM. (dimethyl-(E)-1-methyl-2-(methylcarbomyl)-vinyl phosphate); Monuron.TM. (3-(p-chlorophenyl)-1,1'-dimethylurea); MTMC.TM. (m-tolyl-N-methylcarbamate); Napthalene.TM.; NAD (Napthaleneacetamide.TM.); 1-Naphthaleneacetic Acid.TM.; Naptalam.TM. (sodium-2-(1-napthalenylamino) carbonyl) benzoate); Neburon.TM. (1-n-butyl-3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1-methylurea); diamidfos (Nellite.TM.); fenamiphos (Nemacur.TM., ethyl 3-methyl-4-(methylthio)phenyl (1-methylethyl)phosphoramidate) CPCBS (Neosappiran.TM., p-chlorophenyl p-chlorobenzenesulfonate); DCPM (Neotran.TM., bis (p-chlorophenoxy)methane); fosmethilan (Nevifos.TM., S-(N-(2'-chloro-butyranilido-methyl))-O,O-dimethyl phosphorodithioate); N-phenyl phtalimic acid (Nevirol.TM., 2-aminocarbonylphenyl-benzoic acid); Niacide.TM. (mercaptobenzothiazole); Nitrofen.TM. (2,4-dichlorophenyl-p-nitrophenyl ether); N,N-Diethylbenzamide.TM. (N,N-diethylbenzamide); iodofenphos (Nuvanol N.TM., O,O-dimethyl-0-(2,5-dichloro-4-iosphenyl) phosphorthioate); Ofurace.TM. (2-chloro-N-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-N-(tetrahydro-2-oxo-3-furanyl)acetamide); dimethachlon (Ohric.TM., N-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)succinimide); Orbencarb.TM. (S-(2-chlorobenzyl)-N,N-diethylthiolcarbamate); Ovex.TM. (p-chlorophenyl-p-chlorobenzenesulfonate); Oxadixyl.TM. (2-methoxy-N-(2-oxo-1,3-oxazolidin-3yl) acet-2',6'-xylidide); Oxycarboxin.TM. (5,6-dihydro-2-methyl-N-phenyl-1,4-oxathiin-3-carboxamide-4,4-dioxide); fenothiocarb (Panocon.TM., S-(4-phenoxybutyl)-N,N-dimethyl thocarbamate); PCP.TM. (pentachlorophenol); Phencapton.TM. (O,O-diethyl S-(2,5-dichlorophenylthio-methyl) phosphorodithioate); phenmedipham.TM. (methyl-m-hydroxycarbanilate-m-methylcarbanilate ester); Phenothiol.TM. (S-ethyl(4-chloro-0-tolyoxy) thioacetate); Phenthoate.TM. (O,O-dimethyl S-(alphaethoxycarbonylbenzyl)-phosphorodithioate); Phorate.TM. (O,O-diethyl S-((ethylthio) methyl) phos-phorodiothioate); Phosalone.TM. (S-((6-chloro-2-oxo-3(2H)-benzoxazolyl)methyl) O,O-diethyl phosphordithioate); Phosmet.TM. (N-(mercaptomethyl) phthalimide S-(O,O-dimethylphosphorodithioate); leptophos (Phosvel.TM., 0-(4-Bromo-2,5-dichlorophenyl) 0-methyl-phenyl-phosphonothioate); Piperonyl Butoxide.TM. (alpha-(2-(2-butoxyethoxy)ethoxy)-4,5-methylenedioxy-2-propyltoluene); glyphosine (Polaris.TM., N,N-bis(phosphonmethyl) glycine); monalide (Potablan.TM., N-(4-chlorophenyl)-2,2-dimethylvaleramide); chlorthiamid (Prefix.TM., 2,6-dichlorothiobenzamide); prothiocarb (Previcur.TM., ethyl-N-(3-dimethylamino-propyl)-thiolcarbamate) hydrochloride); methazole (Probe.TM., 2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-4-methyl-1,2,4-oxadiazolidine-3,5-dione); Propachlor.TM. (2-chloro-N-isopropylacetanilide); Propamocarb Hydrochloride.TM. (propyl (3-(dimethylamino)propyl) carbamate monohydrochloride); Propanil.TM. (N-(3,4-dichlorophenyl) propionamide); Propetamphos.TM. ((E)-0-2-isopropoxy-carbonyl-1-methylvinyl 0-methyl ethylphosphoramidothioate); Propoxur.TM. (2-(1-methlyethoxy)phenyl methylcarbamate); 1,8-naphthalic anhydride (Protect.TM.); Prynchlor.TM. (2-chloro-N-(1-methyl-2-propynyl)acetanilide); chlorfenethol (Qikron.TM., 1,1-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethanol); Quinazimid.TM. (p-benzoquinone monosemicarbazone); CDAA (Randox.TM., N,N-diallyl-2-chloroacetamide); Rhodethanil.TM. (3-chloro-4-(ethylamino)phenyl thiocyanate); tolclofos (Rizolex.TM., 0-2,6-dichloro-4-methylphenyl O,O-dimethyl phosphorothioate); sirmate (Rowmate.TM., 3,4-and 2,3-dichlorobenzyl N-methyl-carbamate); dioxabenzofos (Salithion.TM., 2-methoxy-4H-1,3,2-benzodioxaphosphorin-2-sulfide); C-10015 (Saprecon C.TM.); dichlozoline (Sclex.TM., 3-(3,5-dichlorphenyl)-5,5-dimethyl oxazoline-dione-2,4); Sesone.TM. (sodium 2,4-dichlorophenoxyethyl sulfate); pyracarbolid (Sicarol.TM.); Silvex.TM. (2-(2,4,5-trichlorophenoxy)propionic acid); Sodium Pentachlorophenate.TM. ; Sophamide.TM. (O,O-Dimethyl s-(N-methoxymethyl)carbamoylmethyl) phosphorodithioate); EPBP (S-Seven.TM., 0-ethyl-0-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-phosphonothionate); benzoylprop ethyl (Suffix.TM., ethyl N-benzoyl-N-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-DL-alaniate); esfenvalerat (Sumi-alpha.TM., (S)-alpha-Cyano-3 -phenoxybenzyl (S)-2-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-methylbutyrate); cyanofenphos (Surecide.TM., 0-P-cyanophenyl 0-ethyl phenyl-phos-phorothioate); Swep.TM. (methyl-N-(3,4-di-chlorophenyl) carbamate); 2,4,5-T (2,4 5-trichlorophenoxy-acetic acid); chloroxuron (Tenoran.TM., 3-(p-(p-chlorophenoxy) phenyl)-1,1-di-methylurea); chloroneb (Terraneb SP.TM., 1,4-dichloro-2,5-dimethoxybenzene); Tetrachlorvinphos.TM. ((Z)-isomer of the compound 2-chloro-1(2,4,5-trichlorophenyl)vinyl dimethyl phosphate); benthiocarb (Thiobencarb.TM., S-((4-chlorophenyl)methyl)diethylcarba-mothioate); Thiometon.TM. (S-(2-(ethylthio)ethyl) 00-dimethyl phos-phorodithioate); TIBA.TM. (2,3,5-triodobenzoic acid compound with N-methylmethanamine); pebulate (Tillam.TM., S-propyl butylethylthiocarbamate); 2,3,6-TBA (trichlorobenzoic Acid); Trimethacarb.TM. (3,4,5-+2,3,5-isomers of trimethylphenyl methyl carbamate); carbophenothion (Trithion.TM.); phenisopham (Verdinal.TM., 3-isopropoxycarbonyl-aminophenyl-N-ethyl carbanilate); Warfarin.TM. (3(a-acetonylbenzyl)-4-hydroxycoumarin); XMC.TM. (3 5-xylyl N-methyl carbamate); and Zytron.TM. (0-(2,4-dichlorophenyl) 0'-methyl N-isopropylphosphoroamidothioate).

The following pesticides can also be degraded by the ferric reagents of this invention, but at a slower rate: Atrazine (Aatrex.TM., 2-chloro-4-ethylamino-6-isopropylamino-s-triazine); acifluorfen (sodium 5-(2-chloro-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy)-2-nitrobenzoate); cycloheximide (Acti-dione.TM., 3(2-(3,5-dimethyl-2-oxocyclohexyl)2-hydroxyethyl-)glutarimide); pyrazophos (Afugan.TM., 0-6-ethoxycarbonyl-5-methylpyrazolo (1,5.-a)pyrimidin-2-yl O,O-diethyl phosphorothioate); metsulfuron methyl (Ally.TM., methyl 2-(((((4-methoxy-6-methyl-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)amino)carbonyl)amino)sulfonyl )benzoate); triasulfuron (Amber.TM. 2-(2-chloroethoxy)-N-(((4-methoxy-6-methyl-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)amino)carbon yl)benzenesulfonamide, ametryn (2-(ethylamino)4-isopropylamino-6-methyl-thio-striazine): amidithion (O,O'-dimethyl-S-(N-methoxyethyl)carbamoyl-methyl-phosphorodithioate); hexaconazole (Anvil.TM., 2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-2-yl)2-ol); buprofezin (Applaud.TM., 2-tert-butylimino-3-isopropyl-5-phenylperhyxro-1,3,5-thiadiazin-4-one ; ancymidol (A-Rest.TM., a-cyclopropyl-a-(p-methoxyphenyl)-5-pyrimidinemethanol); dinoseb acetate (Aretit.TM., 0-acetyl-2-sec, butyl-4,6-dinitrophenol); cimmethylin (Argold.TM., exo-1-methyl-4-(1-methylethyl)-2-(2-methyl phenyl methoxy)-7-oxabicyclo-(2.2.1) heptane); Arsenal.TM. (2-(4-isopropyl-4-methyl-5-oxo-2-imidazolin- 2-yl)nicotinic acid with isopropylamine (1:1)); AC 222,293 (Assert.TM., mixture of methyl-2-(4-isopropyl-4-methyl-5-oxo-2-imidazolin-2-yl)-p-toluate and methyl-6-(4-isopropyl-4-methyl-5-oxo-2-imidazolin-2-yl)-m-toulate); difenzoquat methyl sulfate (Avenge.TM., 1,2-dimethyl-3,5-diphenyl-1 H-pyrazolium methyl sulfate); piperophos/dimethametryn (Avirosan.TM., O,O-dipropyl S-2 methylpiperidinocarbonyl-methyl phosphorodithioate); Azinophos-ethyl.TM. (O,O-diethyl S ((4-oxo 1,2,3-benzotriazin-3(4H)-yl)methyl)phosphorodithioate); Azinphos-methyl.TM. (O,O-dimethyl-S-(4-oxo-1,2,3-benzotriazin 3(4H)-yl)methyl) phosphorodithioate); 6-benzylaminopruine (BAP.TM., 6-benzyladenine); fluchoralin (Basalin.TM., N-(2-chloroethyl-alpha, alpha, alpha-trifluoro-2,6-dinitro-N-propyl-p-toluidine); tebuconazole (Bay HWG 1608.TM., (.+-.)alpha(2-(4-chlorophenyl)ethyl)-alpha-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-alpha-(2-(4 -chlorophenyl)ethyl)-alpha-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-1H 1,2,4 triazole-1-ethanol); ethiozin (Bay SMY 1500.TM., 4-amino-6,1-dimethylethyl)-3-(ethylthio-1,2,4-triazin-5(4H)-one); bitertanol (Baycor.TM., beta-(1,1' biphenyl)-4-yloxy-alpha-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-1H-1,2,4 triazole-1-ethanol); triadimefon (Bayleton.TM., 1-(4-chlorophenoxy-3,3-dimethyl-1-(1H-1,2,4 triazol-1-yl)-2-butanone); triadimenol (Baytan.TM., beta-(4-chlorophenoxy)-alpha-(1,1-dimethyl ethyl)-1H 1,2,4 triazole-1-ethanol); cyfluthrin (Baythroid.TM., cyano(4-fluoro-3-phenoxyphenylmethyl 3(2,2-dichloroethenyl) 2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate); primisulfuron (Beacon.TM., 3-(4,6-bis(difluoromethoxy)-pyrimidin-2-yl)- 1-(2-methoxycarbony 1-phenylsulfonyl)-urea); Benefin.TM. (N-butyl-N-ethyl-a,a,a-trifluoro-2,6-dinitro-p-toluidine); Benomyl.TM. (methyl 1-(butylcarbamoyl)-2-benzimi-dazolecarbamate); Bifenthrin.TM. ((2 methyl (1,1'-biphenyl)-3-yl)methyl 3-(2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoro-1-propenyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylat e); Blasticidin-S.TM. (1-(1'-cytosinyl)-4-(L-3'amino-5'-(1"-N-methyl-guanidino)-valer ylamino; cb-1,2,3,4-tetraoxy-beta-D-erythro-hex-2-ene uronic acid); Bromethalin.TM. (N-methyl-2,4-dinitro-N-(2,4,6-tribromophenyl)-6-(trifluromethyl)benzenami ne); Brompyrazon.TM. (5-amino-4-bromo-2-phenylpyridazin-3-one); Buminafos.TM. (1-butylamino-cyclohexane phosphonic acid-dibutylester); metazachlor (Butisan S.TM., 2-chloro-N-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-N-(1H-pyrazol-1-ylmethyl)-acetamide); Butocarboxim.TM. (3-(methylthio-2-butanone-0-((methylamino)carbonyl)-oxime); tridemorph (Calixin.TM., reaction mixture of C.sub.11 -C.sub.14 4-alkyl-2,6-dimethylmorpholine homologues containing 60 to 70% of 4-tridecyl isomers); Captafol.TM. (cis-N-((1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethyl) thio)4-cyclohexene-1, 2-dicarboximide); Captan.TM. (cis-N-trichloromethyltio-4-cyclohexene-1,2-dicarboximide); MC-833 (Carbamorph.TM., N-(dimethyldithiocarbamoylmethyl) morpholine): Carbendazin.TM. (methyl benzimidazol-2-ylcarbamate) flufenoxuron (Cascade.TM., 1-(4-(2- chloro-alpha,alpha,alpha-trifluoro-p-tolyloxy-2-fluorophenyl)-3(2,6-diflur obenzoyl)urea); crimidine (Castrix.TM., 2-chloro-N,N 6-trimethyl-4-pyrimidine); fentiazon (Celdion.TM., 3-benzylideneamino-4-phenylthiazoline-2-thione); Chinosol.TM. (8-hydroxy quinoline sulfate); Chlormequat-chloride.TM. (2-chloroethyl-N,N,N-trimethylammonium chloride); Chlorothalonil.TM. (tetrachloroisophthalonitrile); Chlorpyrifos.TM. (O,O-diethyl 0-(3,5,6-trichloro-pyridin-2-yl)phosphorothioate); cypromid (Clobber.TM., 3',4'-dichlorocyclopropane carboxanilide); Clopyralid.TM. (3,6-dichloropicolinic acid); lactofen (Cobra.TM., 1'-(carboethoxy)ethyl 5-(2-chloro-4-(trifluoro methyl)phenoxyl)-2-nitrobenzoate); clomozone (Command.TM., 2-(2-chlorphenyl)methyl-4,4-dimethyl-3-isox-azolidinone); CGA-133205 (Concep III.TM., 1-(4-chlorophenyl)2,2,2-trifluorethanone-o-(1,3-dioxolan-2-ylmet hyl)oxime); terbufos (Counter.TM., S-(((1,1-dimethylethyl thio) methyl) O,O-di-ethyl phosphorodithioate); Cyanazine.TM. (2-((4-chloro-6-(ethylamino)-S-triazin-2-y)amino)2-methylpropionitrile; Cycloate.TM. (S-ethyl-N-cyclohexyl-N-ethylthiocarbamate); Cycluron.TM. (3-cycloctyl-1,1-dimethylurea); Cyhexatin.TM. (tricyclohexylhydroxystannane); Cymoxanil.TM. (2-cyano-N-((ethylamino) carbonyl)-2-(meth-oximino)acetamide); phosfolan (Cynogan.TM., 2-(diethoxyphosphinylimino)-1,3-dithiolane); Cypendazole.TM. (1-(5-cyanopentycarbamoyl-2-(methoxycar-bonylamino)-benzimiadazole); Cypermethrin.TM. ((.+-.)alpha-cyano-3-phenoxybenzyl (.+-.)cis,trans-(3(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-methylcyclorpropanecarboxylate); Cypofuram.TM. (3-chloro-N-(2-oxperhydro-3-furyl)-cyclopropane-carboxanilide); AL3-52713 (Cyromazine.TM., N-cyclopropyl-1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-triamine); Dalapon.TM. (2,2-dichloropropionic acid); Daminozide.TM. (butanedioic acid mono (2,2-dimethyl hydrazide); Dazomet.TM. (tetrahydro-3,5-dimethyl-2H 1,3,5-thiadiazine-2-thione); DDT.TM. (dichloro diphenyl trichloroethane); DDVP.TM. (2,2-dichlorovinyl dimethyl phosphate); deltamethrin (Decis.TM., (S)-alpha-cyano-m-phenoxybenzyl (1R, 3R)-3(2,2-dibromovinyl)-2-dimethylcyclopropane-carboxylate); Dehydroacetic acid.TM. (3-acetyl-6-methyl-2,4 pyradione); Deslcorn.TM. (sodium ethylxanthogenate); Diazinon.TM. (O,O-diethyl 0(2-isopropyl-4-methyl-6-pyrimidinyl) phosphorothioate); Dicapthon.TM. (0-(2-chloro-4-nitrophenyl) O,O-dimethyl phosphorothioate); Dichlobenil.TM. (2,6-dichlorobenzonitrile); Dichloroethyl Ether.TM. (2,2'-dichloroethyl ether); Dichlorpropene.TM. (1,3-dichloropropene); Dicofol.TM. (4,4-dichloro-alpha-trichloro-methylbenzhydrol); Dicrotophos.TM. ((E)-2-dimethylcarbamoyl-1-methylvinyl dimethyl phosphate); Dienochlor.TM. (bis(pentachloro-2,4-cyclopentadien-1-yl); Diflubenzuron.TM. (1-(4-chlorphenyl)3-(2,6 difluorobenzoyl) urea); Diflufenican.TM. (2,4-difluoro-2-(a,a,a-trifluoro-m-tolyloxy)nicotinanilide); Diftoran.TM. (2,2-bis(4-fluoroethoxyphenyl) propane); Dikegulac Sodium.TM. (sodium salt of 2,3:4,6-di-0-isopropylidene-alpha-L-xylo-2-hexalofuranosonic acid); Dilan.TM.; Dimefox.TM. (bis (dimethylamino) fluorophosphine oxide); Diniconazole.TM. ((E)-1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-4,4-dimethyl-2-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)-1-penten-3 -ol): chemox (2,4-dinitrophenol); Dinobuton.TM. (2-(1-methyl-2- propyl)-4,6-dinitrophenyl isopropylcarbonate); Dinopenton.TM. (isopropyl 2-(1-methylbutyl)-4,6-dinitrophenyl carbonate); Dinoseb.TM. (2(sec-butyl)-4,6-dinitrophenol); Dinosulfon.TM. (S-methyl 0-(2-(1-methylheptyl)-4,6-dinitrophenyl) thiocarbonate); Dinoterb Acetate.TM. (2-tert-butyl-4,6-dinitrophenyl acetate); dinoterb (Dinoterb Salts.TM., (2-tert-butyl-4,6-dinitrophenol); dinoterbon.TM. (2-tert-butyl- 4,6-dinitrophenyl ethyl carbonate); Dioxathion.TM. (2,3-p-dioxanedithiol.S,S-bis- (O,O-diethyl phosphorodithioate); biphenyl (Diphenyl.TM.); Dipropalin.TM. (N,N-di-n-propyl-2,6-dinitro-4-methylaniline); Diquat.TM. (1,1'-ethylene-2,2'-bipyridylium ion; DNOC.TM. (4,6-dinitro-o-cresol); Dodecin.TM. (N-(2-(2-(dodecylamino)ethyl) amino)ethyl glycine); Dodine.TM. (n-dodecylguanidine acetate); fenuron-TCA (Dozer.TM., 1,1-dimethyl-3-phenylurea trichloroacetate); thidiazuron (Dropp.TM., N-phenyl-N'-1,2,3-thiadiazol-5-yl urea); Dymron.TM. (1-(alpha,alpha-dimethylbenzyl)-3-p-tolyl urea); anilazine (Dyrene.TM., 4,6-dichloro-N-(2-chlorophenyl)-1,3,5-triazin-2-amine); Endothall.TM. (7-oxabicyclo (2,2,1)heptane-2,3-dicarboxylic acid); thioquinox (Eradex.TM., 2,3-quinoxalinedithiol cyclic trithiocarbonate); Erbon.TM. (2-(2,4,5-trichlorophenoxy)ethyl 2,2 dichloro-propionate); thiazafluron (Erbotan.TM., N,N'-dimethyl-N-5-(trifluoromethyl) 1,3,4-thiadiazol)-2-yl urea); Etaconazole.TM.; secbumeton (Etazine.TM., 2-sec-butylamino-4-ethylamino-6-methoxy-striazine); Ethephon.TM. ((2-chloroethyl)phosphonic acid); Ethirimol.TM. (5-butyl-2-ethylamino-4-hydroxy-6-methylpyrimidine); Etinofen.TM. (2-ethoxymethyl-4,6-dinitrophenol); Etridazole.TM. (5-ethoxy-3-trichloromethyl-1,2,4-thiadiazole); Etrimfos.TM. (0-(6-ethoxy-2-ethyl-4-pyrimidinyl)O,O-dimethylphosphorothioate); dichlofluanid (Euparen.TM., 1,1-dichloro-N-((dimethylamino) sulfonyl)-1-fluoro-N-phenylmethanesulfenamide); tolylfluanid (Euparen M.TM., 1,1-dichloro-N-((dimethyl amino) sulfonyl)-1-fluoro-N-(4-methylphenyl) methan sulfenamide); quinclorac (Facet.TM., 3,7-dichloro-8-quinolinecarboxylic acid); bromofenoxim (Faneron.TM., 3,5-dibromo-4-hydroxybenzaldehyde-0-(2',4'-dinitro-phenyl)oxime); Far-Go.TM., (triallate+aromatics +emulsifier); Fenazaflor.TM. (phenyl 5,6-dichloro-2-trifluoromethyl-1-benzimidazole-carboxylate); Fenitrothion.TM. (O,O-dimethyl 0,4-nitro-m-tolyl phosphorothioate; Fenpropathrin.TM. ((RS)-alpha-cyano-3-phenoxybenzyl 2,2,3,3-tetramethylcyclopropanecarboxylate); Fenson.TM. (p-chlorophenyl benzenesulfonate); Flamprop-Methyl.TM. (methyl N-benzoyl-N-(3-chloro-4-fluorophenyl)-DL-alaninate); Fluazifop-butyl.TM. (RS butyl 2-(4-(5-trifluoromethyl-2-pyridol oxy) phenoxy) propinoate); Flucythrinate.TM. ((.+-.)-cyano(3-phenoxyphenyl)methyl (+)-4-(difluoromethoxy)-alpha-(1-methylethyl) benzeneacetate); Fluometuron.TM. (1,1-dimethyl-3-(a,a,a- trifluoro-m-tolyl) urea); Fluorobenside.TM. (p-chlorobenzyl p-fluorophenyl sulfide); Fluorodifen.TM.; Fluvalinate.TM. ((alpha-RS,2R)-fluvalinate ((RS-alpha-cyano-3-phenoxybenzyl-(R)2-(2-chloro-4-(tritluoromethyl)an ilino)-3-methyl-butanoate); cycloxydim (Focus.TM., 2-(1-(ethoxyimino)butyl)-3- hydroxy-5-((2H)-tetrahydrothipropyran-3-yl)-2-cyclohexene-1-one); Folpet.TM. (N-trichloromethyl) thio)phthalimide); Fomesafen.TM. (5-(2-chloro-4-(trifluoromethyl) phenoxy)-N-(methylsulfonyl)-2-nitrobenzamide); trifenmorph (Frescon.TM., N-tritylmorpholine); Terbuthylazine (Gardoprim.TM., 4-tert, butylamino-2-chloro-6-ethylamino-s-triazine); chlorsulfuron (Gladz.TM., 2-Chloro-N((4-methoxy-6-methyl-1,3,5 triazin-2-yl) aminocarbonyl)-benzenesulfonamide); Glufosinate-ammonium.TM. (ammonium DL-homoaalnin-4-yl (methyl) phosphinate); Glyodin.TM. (2-heptadecyl-2-imidazoline acetate); glyphosate isopropylamine salt (Glyphosate.TM., isopropylamine salt of N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine); oxyfluorfen (Goal.TM., 2-chloro-1-(3-ethoxy-4-nitrophenoxy)-4-(trifluoromethyl) benzene); cyphenothrin (Gokilaht.TM., (RS)-alpha-cyano-3-phenoxybenzyl (1R)-cis, transchrysanthemate); metamitron (Goltix.TM., 4-amino-3-methyl-6-phenyl-1,2,4-triazin-5 (4H)-one); Guazatine.TM. (mixture of the raction products from polyamines, comprising mainly octamethylenediamene, iminodi (octaethylene) diamine and octamethylene bis); dimethipin (Harvade.TM., (2,3-dihydro-5,6-dimethyl-1,4-dithiin 1,1,4,4-tetraoxide); norea (Herban.TM., 3-(hexahydro-4,7-methanoindan-5-yl)-1,1-dimethylurea); Hexythiazox.TM. (trans-5-(4-chlorphenyl)-N-cyclohexyl-4-methyl-2-oxothiazolidine-3-carboxa mide); Hepteneophos (Hostaquick.TM., 7-chlorobicyclo-(3.2.0)hepta-2,6-dien-6-yl dimethyl phosphate); Triazophos (Hostathion.TM., (O,O-diethyl 0-1-henyl-1H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl phosphorothioate); Amdro (Hydramethylnon.TM., tetrahydro-5,5-dimethyl-2-(1H)-pyrimidinone (3-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-1-(2-(4-trifluoromethyl)phenyl) ethenyl)2-propenyl-idene) hydrazone); Imazalil.TM. (1-(2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(20propenyloxy) ethyl)-1H-imidazole); flutriafol (Imapact.TM., (RS)-2,4'-difluoro-a-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl methyl)benzhydryl alcohol); dihydropyrone (Indalone.TM., butyl 3,4-dihyro-2,2-dimethyl-4-oxo-2H-pyran-6-carboxylate); butrizol (Indar.TM., 4-n-butyl-4H-1,2,4-triazole); Ipazin.TM.; Isocarbamid.TM.; fenthiaprop-ethyl (Joker.TM.); Karate.TM. (alpha-cyano-3-phenoxybenzyl 3-(2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoro-prop-1-enyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxyla te, a 1:1 mixture of the (Z)-(1R,3R) S-ester and (Z), (1S,3S), R-ester); Kasugamycin.TM. ((5-amino-2-methyl-6-(2,3,4,5,6-pentahydroxy cyclohexyloxy) tetrahydropropyran-3-yl) amino-alpha-iminoacetic acid); fluenethyl (Lambrol.TM., 2-fluoroethyl (4-biphenyl)acetate); cloethocarb (Lance.TM., 2-(2-chloro-1-methoxyethoxy)phenyl methylcarbamate); thiodicarb (Larvin Thiodicarb Insecticide/Ovicide.TM., dimethyl N,N-(thiobis(methylimino)carbonyloxy-bis(ethanimidothioate)); Lenacil.TM. (3-Cyclohexyl-5,6-trimethyleneuracil); bensulfuron methyl (Londax.TM., methyl 2-((((((4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-2-yl)amino) carbonyl)amino)sulfony)methyl)benzoate); Lythidathion.TM.; maleic hydrazine (6-hydroxy-3(2H)pyridazinone); Midinoterb Acetate.TM. (2-tert-butyl-5-methyl-4,6-dinitrophenyl acetate); Menazon.TM. (S-(4,6-diamino-s-triazin-2-yl-methyl) O,O-dimethyl-phosphordithioate); aziprotyn (Mesoranil.TM., 2-azido-4-isopropylamino-6-methylthio-s-triazine); oxydeprofos (Metasystox.TM.-S, S-(20 (ethylsulfinyl)-1-methylethyl)O,O-dimethyl phosphorothioate); Methamidophos.TM. (0,S-dimethyl phosphoramidothioate); Methidathion.TM. (O,O-dimethyl phosphorodithioate, S-ester with 4-(mercaptomethyl)-2-methoxy-delta.sup.2 -1,3,4-thiadiazolin-5-one); Methometon.TM.; Methomyl.TM. (S-methyl-N-((methylcarbamoyl)oxy)-thioacetimidate); Methoprene.TM. (isopropyl (2E- 4E)-11-methoxy-3,7,11-trimethyl-2,4-dodecadienoate); Methoxychlor.TM. (2,2-bis (p-methoxyphenyl)-1,1,1-trichlorethane); Methyl Parathion.TM. (O,O-dimethyl-0,4-nitrophenyl phosphore-thioate); Methyldymron.TM. (1-(alpha,alpha-dimethylbenzyl)-3-methyl-3-phenyl urea); Metribuzin.TM. (4-amino-6(1,1-dimethylethyl)-3-(methylthio)-1,2,4-triazin-5(4H)-one); Mevinphos.TM. (alpha isomer of 2-carbomethoxy-1-methyl-vinyl dimethyl phosphate); dimethirimol (Milcurb.TM., 5-n-Butyl-2-dimethylamino-4-hydroxy-6-methylpyrimidine); isazophos (Miral.TM., 0-(5-chloro-1-(methylethyl)-1H 1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)O,O-diethyl prohphorothioate); pencyuron (Monceren.TM., N-(4-chlorophenyl)methyl)-N-cyclopentyl-N'-phenylurea); flutolanil (Moncut.TM., 3'-isopropoxy-2-(trifluoromethyl)benzalide); oxythiquinox (Morestan.TM., 6-methyl-1,3-dithiolo(4,5-b)quinoxalin-2-one); binapacryl (Morocide.TM.); Morphothion.TM. (O,O-dimethyl-S-(morpholinocarbonylmethyl)phophorodithioate); Naled.TM. (1,2-dibromo-2,2-dichloroethyl dimethyl phosphate); fosthietan (Nem-A-Tak.TM.); Nemamort.TM. (dichlorodiisopropyl ether); d-tetramethrin (Neo-Pynamin Forte.TM., 3,4,5,6-tetrahydrophthalimidomethyl (1R)-cis, transchrysanthemate); NIA 10637.TM. (ethyl hydrogen propyl phosphate); Nicotine.TM. (3-(1-methyl-2-pyrrolidyl) pyridine); bupirimate (Nimrod.TM., 5-Butyl-2-ethylamino-6-methylpyrimidin-4-yl dimethylsulfamate); Norflurazon.TM. (4-chloro-5-(methylamino-2-(a,a,a-trifluoro-m-tolyl)-3(2H)-pyridazinone); Ortho-Dichlorobenzene (1,2-dichlorobenzene); Cyprazine (Outfox.TM., 2-chloro-4-(cyclopropylamino)-6-(isopropylamino) s-triazine); Oxadiazon.TM. (2-tert-butyl-4-(2,4-dichloro-5-isopropoxyphenyl)-delta2-1,3,4-oxadiazolin -5-one); Oxamyl.TM. (methyl N',N'-dimethyl-N-(methylcarbomyl)oxy)-1-thiooxaminidate); isopropalin (Paarlan.TM., 2,6-dinitro-N,N-dipropyl cumidine); Paclobutrazol.TM. ((2RS,3RD)-1-(4-chlorophenyl)-4,4-dimethyl-2-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-yl)pentan-3 -ol); cartap (Padan.TM., S,S'-(2-dimethylaminotrimethylene) bis(thio-carbamate) hydrochloride); nitrothal-isopropyl (Pallitop.TM., 5-nitro-benzene-1,3-dicarboxylic acid-bis (1-methylethyl) ester); PDB (paradichlorobenzene.TM., 1,4-dichlorobenzen.TM.); Paraoxon.TM. (O,O-diethyl-0-p-nitrophenyl phosphate); Parathion.TM. (O,O-diethyl 0-4-nitrophenyl phosphorothioate); parinol (Parnon.TM., alpha, alpha-bis(p-chlorophenyl)-3-pyridinemethanol); Penconazole.TM. (1-(2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-n-pentyl)-1H-1,2,4-triazole); Permethrin.TM. ((3-pehnoxyphenyl)methyl(I)cis, trans-ethenyl-2,2-dimethylcyclopropane-carboxylate); nichlofos (Phosnichlor.TM., 0-4-chloro-3-nitrophenyl O,O-dimethyl phosphorthioate); Phosphamidon.TM. (O,O-dimethyl 0-(2-chloro-2-diethylcarbamoyl)-1-methyl-vinyl) phosphate); Picloram.TM. (4-amino-3,5,6-trichloropicolinic acid); piperalin (Pipron.TM., 3-(2-methylpiperidino)propyl 3,4-dichlorbenzoate); primicarb (Pirimor.TM., 2-dimethylamino-5,6-dimethylpyrimidin-4-yl dimethylcarbamate); pindone (Pival.TM., 2-pivalyl-1,3-indandione); nitralin (Planavin.TM., 4-methylsulphonyl-2,6-dinitro-N,N-dipropylaniline); butoxycarboxim (Plant Pin.TM., 3-(methylsulphonyl)-2-butanone-0-((methylamino)carbamyl)) oxime); benzethazet (Pifenate.TM., 3,4-dichloro-2-(trichloromethyl) phenyl methyl acetate); Plyoxin D.TM. (5-((2-amino 5-0-(aminocarbonyl)-2-deoxy-L-xylonyl)amino)-1,5dideoxy-1-3,4-dihydro-5-(c arboxy)-2,4-dioxo-1(2H-pyr imidinyl)-beta-D-allofuranuronic acid); prometon (Pramitol.TM., 2,4-bis(isopropylamino)-6-methoxy-s-triazine); CGA-41065 (Prime+.TM., 2-chloro-N-(2,6-dinitro-4-(trifluoromethyl)-phenyl) N-ethyl-6-fluorobenzemethanamine); pirimiphos-ethyl (Primicid.TM., 2-diethylamino-6-methyl-4-pyrimidinyl diethyl phosphorothioate); Prodiamine.TM. (N.sup.3,N.sup.3 -Di-n-propyl-2,4-dinitro-6-(trifluoromethyl)-m-pyhrnylendiamine); Prometryn.TM. (2,4-bis(isopropylamino)-6-(methylthio)-s-triazine); Propargite.TM. (2-(4-(1,1-dimethylethyl) phenoxy)cyclohexyl)-2-propynyl sulfite); Propazine.TM. (2-chloro-4,6-bis(isopropylamino)-s-triazine); Prothion.TM. (O,O-diethyl S-carboxyethyl phosphorodiothioate); Prothoate.TM. (O,O-diethyl-S-(N-isopropylcarbanoylmethyl) phosphorodithioate); pendimethalin (Prowl.TM., N-(1-ethylpropyl-3,4-dimethyl-2,6-dinitro-benzamine); AC 263,499 (Pursuit.TM., (.+-.) 2-(4,5-dihydro-4-methyl-4-(1-methylethyl)-5-oxo-1 H-imidazol-2-yl)5-ethyl 3-pyridinecarboxylic acid); allethrin (Pynamin.TM., (RS)-3-allyl-2-methyl-4-oxocyclopent-2-enyl (1RS)-cis/trans chrysanthemate); d-allethrin (Pynamin-Forte.TM., (RS)-3-allyl-2-methyl-4-oxocyclopent-2-enyl (1R)-cis/trans chrysanthemate); chloridazon (Pyramin.TM., 5-amino-4-chloro-2-phenyl-3-(2H)-pyridazione); Pyridate.TM. (0-(6-chloro-3-phenyl-4-pyrdazinyl)-S-oxtyl-carbonthioate); Pyrifenox.TM. (2',4'-dichloro-2-(3-pyridyl) acetopheonone)-methyloxinme; Pyroquilon.TM. (1,2,5,6-tetrahydro-4H-pyrrolo (3,2,1-i,j)quinolin-4-one); Quinalphos.TM. (O,O-diethyl 0-2-quinoxalinyl phosphorothioate); Quizalofop-ethyl.TM. (ethyl-2-(4-(6-chloroquinoxalin-2-yloxy) phenoxy)propionate); fthalide (Rabicide.TM., 4,5,6,7-tetrachloropthalide); Coumatertralyl (Racumin.TM., 4-hydroxy-3-(1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1-naphtaleny)-2H-1-benzopyran-2-one); resmethrin (((5-(phenylmethyl)-3-furanyl) methyl 2,2-dimethyl-3-(2-methyl-1-propenyl) cyclopropanecarboxylate); Risalin.TM. (3,5-dinitro-N,N-di(npropyl) sulfanilamide); Ronnel.TM. (0,0-dimethyl 0-(2,4,5-trichlorophenyl)-phosphorothioate); Rotenone.TM.; fenarimol (Rubigan.TM., .sup.3 -(2-chlorophenyl)-.sup.3 -(4-chlorophenyl)-5-pyrimidinemethanol); Dipropetryn (Sancap.TM., 2-ethylthio-4,6-bis(isopropylaminol-s-triazine)); Imazaquin (Scepter.TM. 2-(4,5-dihydro-4-methyl-4-(1-methylethyl)-5-oxo-1H-imidazol-2-yl))-3-quino line carboxylic acid); Schradan.TM. (octamethylpyrophosphoramide); desmetryn (Semeron.TM., 2-isopropylamino-4-methylamino-6-methylthio-s-triazine); chlozolinate (Serinal.TM., ethyl 3-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-5-methyl-2,4-dioxo-5-carboxylate); Sethoxydim.TM. (2(1-(ethoxyimino)butyl))-5-(2-(ethylthio)propyl)-3-hydroxy-2-cyclohexen-1 -one); Siduron.TM. (1-(2-methylcyclohexy)-3-phenylurea); Simazine.TM. (2-chloro-4,6-bis(ethylamino)-s-triazine); Simetryn.TM. (2,4-bis(ethylamino)-6-methylmercapto-S-triazine); Sindone.TM. (1,1-dimethyl-4,6-diisopropyl-5-indanyl ethyl ketone); fenapanil (Sisthane.TM., alpha-n-butyl-alphaphenyl-1H-imidazole-1-propane-nitrile); Solan.TM. (3'-chloro-2 - methyl-p-valertoluidide); tebuthiuron (Spike.TM., N-(5-(1,1-dimethyl)-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl)-N,N,-dimethylurea); flamprop-M-isopropyl (Suffix BW.TM., isopropyl N-benzoyl-N-(3-chloro-4-fluorophenyl)-S-alanimate); Sulfometuron Methyl.TM. (methyl 2(((((4,6-dimethyl-2-pyrimidinyl)amino)carbonyl)amino)sulfonyl)) benzoate); bromobutide (Sumiherb.TM., 2-bromo-N-(alpha, alpha-dimethylbenzyl)-3,3-dimethylbutyramide); procymidone (Sumilex.TM., N-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-1,2-dimethylcyclopropane-1,2-dicarboximide); d-phenothrin (Sumithrin.TM., 3-phenoxybenzyl (1R)-cis/trans chrysanthemate); fluoroglycofen (Super Blazer.TM., 2-ethoxy-2-oxo-ethyl 5-(2-chloro-4-(trifluormethyl)phenoxy)-2-nitrobenzoate); Oryzalin (Surflan.TM., 3,5-dinitro-N,N-dipropylsulfanilamide); myclobutanil (Systhane.TM., alpha-butyl-alpha-(4-chlorophenyl)-1H-1,2,4-triazole-1-propanenitrile); hymexazol (Tachigaren.TM., 3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxaole); isomethiozin (Tantizon.TM., 6-tert-butyl-4-isobutylidene amino-3-methylthio-1,2,4-triazin-5 (4H)-one); cyanthoate (Tartan.TM., 0,0-diethyl S-N-(a-cyanoisopropyl) carbomylmethyl) phosphorothioate); aldicarb (Temik.TM., 2-methyl-2-(methylthio) propionaldehyde 0-(methylcarbamoyl) oxime); Terbacil.TM. (3-tert-butyl-5-chloro-6-methyluracil); Terbutryn.TM. (2-tert butylamino-4-ethylamino-6-methylthio-s-triazine); tedion (Tetradifon.TM., 4-chlorophenyl 2,4,5-trichlorophenyl sulfone); Tetramethrin.TM. (3,4,5,6-tetrahydrophthalimidomethyl chrysanthenate); Thanite.TM. (isobornyl thiocyanoacetate); Thiabendazole.TM. (2-(4'-thiazolyl)-benzimidazole); Thiocyclam-Hydrogenoxalate.TM. (N,N-dimethyl-1,2,3-trithian-5-amine-hydro-genoxalate); Thiophanate.TM. (1,2-bis (3-ethoxycarbonyl-2-thioureido)-benzene); Thiophanate-methyl.TM. (methyl((1,2-phenylene)bis-(iminocarbonthioyl))bicarbamate); Thiram.TM. (bis(dimethylthio-carbonyl)disulfide); propiconazole (Tilt.TM., 1-(2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)4-propyl-1,3-dioxolan-2-ylmethyl)-1H-1,2,4-triazo le); prothiopos (Tokuthion.TM., 0-(2,4-dichlorophenyl) 0-ethyl S-propyl phosphoro dithioate); Tomacon.TM. (1-(2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetyl)-3,5-dimethyl-pyrazole); tetrafluoron (Tomilon.TM., N,N-dimethyl-N,-(3-(1',1',2',2'-tetrafluoroethoxy)-phenyl)-urea); dialfor (Torak.TM., S-(2-chloro-1-phthalimidoethyl) 0,0-diethyl phosphorodithioate); Tranid.TM. (exo-3-chloro-endo-6-cyano-2-norbornanone 0-(methylcarbamoyl)oxime); Tribonate.TM. (2,4-Dinitrophenyl 2-8(sec-butyl)-4,6-dinitrophenyl carbonate); methabenzthiazuron (Tribunil.TM., N-2-benzothiazolyl-N,N'-dimethylurea); Trichlorfon.TM. (dimethyl (2,2,2-trichloro-1-hydroxyethyl) phosphonate); Triclopyr.TM. (3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinyloxyacetic acid); Tricyclazole.TM. (5-methyl-1,2,4-triazolo(3,4-b)-benzothiazole); Trietazine.TM. (2-chloro-4-diethylamino-6-ethylamino-1,3,5-triazine); Triflumizole.TM. ((E)-4-chloro-alpha,alpha,alpha-trifluoro-N-(1-(imidazol-1-yl)-2-propoxyet hylidene)-o-toluidine); Triforine.TM. ((N,N'-1,4-piperazinediyl(2,2,2- trichloro-ethyl)idene-bis-(fromamide))); Nuarimol (Trimidal.TM., alpha-(2-chlorophenyl)-alpha-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-pyrimidinemethanol); Uniconazole.TM. ((E)-1-(4-chlorophenyl)-4,4-dimethyl-2-(1,2,4-triazol-l-yl)-1-penten-3-ol) ; Ethidimuron (Ustilan.TM., N-(5-ethylsulphonyl)-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl)-N,N'-dimethylurea); pyriminil (Vacor.TM., 1-(3-pyridlmethyl)-3-(4-nitrophenyl)-urea); vernolate (Vernam.TM., S-propyl dipropylthiocarbamate); dichlobutrazol (Vigil.TM., (1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-4,4-dimethyl-2-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl) pentan-3-ol)); Vinclozolin.TM. (3-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-5-vinyl-5-methyl-1,3-oxazolidine-2,4-dione); Zeatin.TM.; and thionazin (Zinophos.TM., 0,0-diethyl 0-2-pyrazinyl phosphorothioate).

The following pesticides react slowly: acephate (O,S-dimethyl acetylphosphoramidothioate); Agribrom.TM. (1-bromo-3-chloro-5,5-dimethyl-2,4-imidazolidine-dione); aldrin (1,4,4a,5,8,8a-hexahydro-1,4:5,8-dimethanonaphthalene); etacelasil (Alsol.TM., 2-chloroethyl-tris(2'-methoxy-ethoxy)silane; amitrole (1H,1,2,4-trazol-3-amine); ammonium sulfamate; BHC.TM. (1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexane); Bulbosan.TM. (1,3,5-trichloro-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene); Chlordane.TM. (1,2,4,5 6,7,8,8-octachlor-2,3,3a,4,7,7a-hexahydro-4,7-methanoindane); Chloropicrin.TM. (chloropicrin nitroirichloromethane); Chloropon.TM. (2,2,3-trichloropropionic acid); Dibromochlorpropane.TM. (1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane); DCU (Dichloralurea.TM., 1,3-bis (2,2,2-trichloro-1-hydroxyethyl) urea); Dieldrin.TM. (1R,4S,4aS, 5R,6R,7S,8S,8aR)-1,2,3,4,10,10-hexachloro-1,4,4a,5,6,7,8a-octahy dro-6,7-epoxy-1,4,5,8-dime thanonaphthalene); DuNema.TM. (4-chloropyridine-N-oxide); Endosulfan.TM. (6,7,8,9,10,10-hexachloro-1,5,5a,6,9,9a-hexahydro-6,9-methano-2,4,3-benzod ioxanthiepin-3-oxide); Endrin.TM.; ethylene dibromide (1,2-dibromoethane); EDC (ethylene dichloride, 1,2-dichloroethane); tefluthrin (Force.TM., 1.5% tefluthrin+98.5% inert ingredients); Gamma-HCH.TM. (gamma-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexane); Heptachlor.TM. (1,4,5,6,7,8,8-heptachloro-3a,4,7,7a-tetrahydro-4,7-methanoindene); hexachloroacetone (hexachloro-2-propanone): Hexazinone.TM. ( 3-cyclohexyl-6-(dimethylamino)-1-methyl-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-(1H,3H)-dione): aldrin (HHDN.TM., 1,2, 3,4,10.10-hexachloro-1,4,4a,5,8,8a5,8,8a-hexahydro-1,4-endo,exo-5,8-dimeth anonapthalene); chlordecone (Kepone.TM., decachlorooctahydro-1,3,4-metheno-2H-cyclobuta (ed) pentalen-2-one); chlorquinox (Lucel.TM., 5,6,7,8-tetraxhloroquinoxaline); Mazidox.TM. (azido-bis (dimethylamino)phosphine oxide); MGK 264.TM. (N-(2-ethylhexyl)-5-norbornene-2,3-dicarboximide); Mirex.TM. (dodecachloroctahydro-1,3,4-methyleno-2H-cyclobuta(cd)pentalene); Molinate.TM. (S-ethyl hexahydro-1. H-azepine-1-carbothioate); Mucochloric Anhydride.TM. (bis(3,4-dichloro-2(5)furanonyl ether); Nabam.TM. (disodium ethylene-1,2-bisdithiocarbamate); Niacide.TM. (manganous dimethyl dithiocarbamate); Nonachlor.TM. (1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,8,-nonchloro-3a,4,7 7a-tetrahydro-4,7-methanoindan); Paraquat.TM. (1,1'-dimethyl-4,4'-bipyridinium ion); PCNB.TM. (pentachloronitrobenzene); ethylan (Perthane.TM., 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(4-ethylphenyl) ethane); mepiquat-chloride (Pix.TM., 1,1-dimethylpiperidiniumchloride); Propineb.TM. ((((1-methyl-1,2-ethanediyl)bis(carbanodithioato))(2-))zinc homopolymer); sodium fluoroacetate (sodium monofluoracetate); ethalfluralin (Sonalan.TM., N-ethyl-N-(2-methyl-2-propenyl)-2,6-dinitro-4(trifluomethyl) benzanamine); TCA.TM. (trichloroacetic acid); TDE.TM. (1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl) ethane); Teflubenzuron.TM. (1-(3,5-dichloro-2,4-difluorophenyl)-3-(2,6-difluorobenzyl)-urea); isobenzan (Telodrin.TM., isobornyl thiocyanoacetate); profluralin (Tolban.TM.); Trifluralin.TM. (alpha, alpha, alpha-trifluoro-2,6-dinitro N,N-dipropyl-p-toluidine); trihydroxytriazine (2,4,6-Trihydroxy-1,3,5-triazine); and monuron TCA (Urox.TM.).

Preferred degradation reaction mixtures contain between a trace to about 1 mM pesticide, though the amount of pesticide present is not critical. An advantage of the present invention is that a wide range of pesticide concentrations can be degraded by the ferric reagents of this invention.

The degradation reaction is generally carried out in an acidic aqueous solution at room temperature (i.e., about 18.degree. to about 22.degree. C.) in the presence of air and preferably in the presence of light. Bright light is preferred over dim light. The pH of the reaction mixture preferably varies between about 1.5 to about 3.5, more preferably about 2.5 to about 3.0. Under these conditions, complete pesticide mineralization, i.e, complete conversion of organic material to inorganic, can take place in less than two hours with peroxide to pesticide ratios as low as 5.

An advantage of the present invention is that degradation, and, eventually, mineralization, of toxic pesticides can be achieved under mild conditions using relatively inexpensive reagents and no special equipment. Using dilute reagents, for example, herbicides such as 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid can be completely dechlorinated in a fraction of an hour and completely mineralized in under two hours. (Specific conditions are set out in the next section.) It is an advantage of the invention that the method can be used both to destroy waste pesticides and to decontaminate equipment. The invention is especially suited to small to medium scale pesticide waste generation such as container and machinery rinsates and removal of unused formulations.

The following examples are presented to further illustrate and explain the present invention and should not be taken as limiting in any regard. Unless otherwise indicated, all parts and percentages are by weight, and are based on the weight at the particular stage of the processing being described

This example illustrates the degradation of the herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (herein abbreviated 2,4-D) with an aqueous acidic ferric reagent containing hydrogen peroxide of this invention.

2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid is analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) on a 5-micron Spherisorb ODS-2 C-18 reverse-phase 25 cm column (Alltech) using ultraviolet detection at 230 nm. Samples (2 ml) are quenched in methanol containing 0.13% trifluoroacetic acid (3 ml) prior to chromatography. The mobile phase is methanol-water-trifluoroacetic acid in a ratio of 60:40:0.08 (v/v/v). At a flow rate of 1.5 ml/min, the elution time is about 7.8 minutes. Standards of the 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acid (Aldrich, .gtoreq.98% pure) are prepared in 60:40 (v/v) methanol-water.

Hydrogen peroxide is determined iodimetrically. To prevent interference from Fe.sup.+3, titrations are carried out in the presence of NaF (100:1 Fe/F molar ratio).

Chloride is measured with a chloride-selective electrode (Orion model 96-17B). Calibration curves are generated from NaCl standard solutions containing all components of the reaction mixture except the herbicide and peroxide. Prior to analysis, 5 ml aliquots of sample or standard solutions are treated with 0.5 ml 1M NaHCO.sub.3 (as buffer), 0.1 ml Orion ISA reagent, and 0.05 ml methanol to quench the herbicide degradation reaction. Measurements are made within one hour after quenching.

Carbon-14 is measured by liquid scintillation counting in 15 ml Opti-Fluor (Packard Instrument Co.) using the external standard method. Quench curves are constructed with CCL.sub.4. One-ml of reaction mixtures containing .sup.14 C-labelled compound is added to 1 ml water plus 0.5 ml methanol in a scintillation vial and purged with a stream of argon for 2 minutes to drive off .sup.14 CO.sub.2 before addition of the scintillation cocktail.

For .sup.14 CO.sub.2 gas evolution measurements, glass wool impregnated with 0.3 ml of 1M aqueous ethanolamine is employed as a CO.sub.2 trap in a well in the stopper of the reaction flask (1M NaOH works equally well, but the resulting Na.sub.2.sup.14 CO.sub.3 is insoluble in Opti-Fluor). The stopper well and its contents (including the glass wool) are added to a separate scintillation vial after first separating the glass wool from the well with a forceps. In these cases, controls show the mass transfer of .sup.14 CO.sub.2 from solution to well is complete within an hour.

Stock solutions of ferric salts are made fresh (within 1 h) before use in 0.1 or 0.01M of the appropriate mineral acid. Fe(ClO.sub.4).sub.3 (GFS Chemicals, Columbus, Ohio) in HClO.sub.4 is generally employed. Stock solutions of 2,4-D herbicide (about 0.03 to 0.14M) are prepared by converting the acid form to the sodium salt With NaOH to a final pH of 6 to 7. Ring-UL-.sup.14 C-2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (10 mCi/mmol) and carboxy-.sup.14 C-2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (9.0 mCi/mmol) are used as received (>98% pure) from Sigma Chem. Co. Hydrogen peroxide (30%, Fisher) is assayed periodically and, if necessary, a diluted stock is made just prior to use.

Experiments are conducted in a thermostated room at 21.degree..+-.1.degree. C. or in a water bath at 21.degree..+-.0.2 C. A typical experiment involves preparing a solution (usually 100 ml in a 250-ml Erlenmeyer flask equipped with a magnetic stir bar) containing herbicide, background electrolytes, and the iron stock solution, which lowers the pH to about 3. If the target pH is below 3, the pH is adjusted with concentrated acid (usually HClO.sub.4) If the target pH is higher than 3, NaOH is added, and the solution is allowed to stand for 15 minutes. A magnetic stirrer is then turned up to sufficient speed to create a profusion of bubbles to maintain oxygen saturation, and the reaction is initiated by adding hydrogen peroxide.

Reactions where .sup.14 CO.sub.2 evolution is monitored are carried out on a 10-ml scale in 50 ml Erlenmeyer flasks. The flasks are fitted with a stopper holding a polypropylene center well (Kontes) which contains a plug of glass wool impregnated with ethanolamine as described above. The flasks are placed on a revolving shaker at 100 revolutions per minute.

The results are plotted in FIGS. 1 to 6. Dichlorophenol (herein abbreviated DCP) is a transient intermediate in the reaction (FIGS. 1 to 3). The production and disappearance of DCP parallel the reactivity of the parent compound (FIGS. 1 and 2); thus, DCP peaks early under conditions where 2,4-D degradation is fast (e.g., at pH 2.7), but correspondingly later under conditions where 2,4-D degradation is slow.

At optimum pH, chloride is released rapidly and quantitatively (FIG. 3). Dechlorination is practically concomitant with loss of parent material Chlorine present in the species 2,4-D, DCP, and Cl.sup.- accounts for between 90 and 100% of total chlorine throughout the reaction. Extraction of the reaction mixture with organic solvents at various times during treatment of ring-labelled 2,4-D with Fe.sup.+3 /H.sub.2 O.sub.2 indicates that 2,4-D is rapidly converted to highly hydrophilic intermediates; for instance, the percent of ethyl-acetate extractable radioactivity declined from 100% at time zero to <1% after dechlorination was achieved (i.e., after about 40 minutes).

Fe.sup.+3 /H.sub.2 O.sub.2 treatment of the herbicide at optimum pH also results in substantial mineralization of herbicide carbon. Evolution of .sup.14 CO.sub.2 from labelled compounds in reactions carried out in the dark cease after 3 to 4 hours. By this time most of the hydrogen peroxide has decomposed. Table I summarizes the extent of mineralization as a function of herbicide and reagent concentrations at pH 2.7 to 2.8 in perchlorate solution:

FIG. 1 shows the sensitivity of the reaction to pH. The rate is maximum around pH 2.7 to 2.8 and falls off steeply on either side of the maximum. At optimum pH, herbicide disappears in under 30 minutes at hydrogen peroxide concentrations of 2.5 to 10 mM (FIGS. 1 to 3).

Increasing the hydrogen peroxide concentration from 10 to 500 mM results in significant improvements in 2,4-D mineralization (Table I). Increasing ferric ion, on the other hand, has essentially no effect. At two higher ferric concentrations (5 and 20 mM), the reaction solution immediately turns a persistent deep red color characteristic of soluble polynuclear ferric oxyhydroxides, even in the absence of 2,4-D and hydrogen peroxide

Determination of the influence of herbicide concentration on mineralization is hampered by its limited solubility in acid form. However, no significant difference in mineralization is seen between 0.1 and 0.5 mM 2,4-D at constant ferric and hydrogen peroxide concentrations (Table I). Consistent with this, the reaction may be approximated as zero-order in 2,4-D concentration (i.e., linear with time) near the optimum pH (FIGS. 1 to 3), although more complex kinetics are found at other pHs.

The transformation of 2,4-D by Fe.sup.+3 /H.sub.2 O.sub.2 is sensitive to the anion originating from the ferric salt or acid counterions and background electrolytes. Fe.sup.+3 /H.sub.2 O.sub.2 exhibits lower reactivity in chloride or sulfate solutions compared to perchlorate or nitrate solutions (Table II). The pseudo zero-order rate constants at constant ionic strength (Na salts) follow the order:

Also, the peak yield of DCP in the presence of chloride is considerably higher compared to other anions (Table II).

In chloride solution, the ratio of moles of .sup.14 CO.sub.2 produced per mole of carboxy-.sup.14 C-2,4-D reacted is much greater than it is in perchlorate solution (FIG. 4). In perchlorate solution, mineralization of the carboxyl carbon of 2,4-D is slightly less extensive than ring carbons. Taken together with the higher yield of DCP in chloride compared to ther anions (Table II) indicates that the mechanism of herbicide decomposition varies with anion. As little as 1000 mg/L (31 mM) methanol stops the reaction.

Controls show that hydrogen peroxide is decomposed by ferric ion in the absence of herbicide. The pseudo first-order rate constant, k.sub.obs, at a ferric concentration of 0.99 mM shows a pH profile (FIGS. 5 and 6) which is virtually identical to that of the 2,4-D transformation (FIG. 1). The Fe.sup.+3 -catalyzed decomposition of hydrogen peroxide is also sensitive to the anion (Table II); the pseudo first-order rate constants measured in the absence of 2,4-D follow the order:

Reactions are carried out in 250-ml Pyrex Erlenmeyer flasks equipped with a magnetic stir bar and covered with a 38 mm diameter watchglass. The flasks are stirred magnetically. Samples under "bright" conditions are irradiated about 30 cm from a rack of four 244-cm long 200 W "cool white" fluorescent lights. Samples under "dim" light conditions are placed more remote from the source and received a combination of direct light and light reflected off the white walls of the room.

The radiant intensity in the visible region (400 to 700 nm) is measured with a Li-Cor Quantum Radiometer (Model LI-185B) while that in the near UV region (290 to 385 nm) is measured with an Eppley UV radiometer (No. 23520) covered with a Pyrex beaker. Dark controls are carried out concurrently in aluminum foil-covered flasks.

FIGS. 7 and 8 shows that the transformation and mineralization of the herbicide in the presence of Fe.sup.+3 /H.sub.2 O.sub.2 is strongly accelerated by irradiation from a conventional fluorescent light. Samples under "bright" light received 0.034 to 0.036 mW/cm.sup.2 in the near UV (290 to 385 nm) and 1.2 to 1.3 mW/cm.sup.2 in the visible region (400 to 700 nm). Under these conditions, transformation of the herbicide in the presence of 1.0 mM Fe.sup.+3 and 10 mM H.sub.2 O.sub.2 is complete in less than 0.15 hours and mineralization of ring-labelled 2,4-D is complete in less than two hours. Using initial rates, transformation of 2,4-D under bright light is 2.7 times faster than in the dark.

Bright light iron-only and peroxide-only controls show degradation, but on a much longer time scale (inset, to FIG. 7). Iron-only controls show slow loss of parent herbicide and 25 to 30% mineralization over a 10-hour period. Peroxide-only controls show little or no parent herbicide transformation or mineralization. Dark iron-only controls also give no reaction. Hydrogen peroxide decomposition is accelerated under bright light, showing a pseudo first-order rate constant 1.35 times greater than that of the dark reaction at 1 mM iron and 100 mM peroxide

The effect of hydrogen peroxide concentration on bright photo-assisted mineralization of ring-labelled 2,4-D at constant iron concentrations of 1 mM is shown in FIG. 9. Reactions carried out at 0.5, 2.0, 5.0, and 10 mM H.sub.2 O.sub.2 are almost indistinguishable, whereas 0.1 mM H.sub.2 O.sub.2 is ineffectual, and 0.2 and 0.4 mM are intermediate.

This example illustrates the degradation of another herbicide, 2,4,5-trichlorochlorophenoxyacetic acid (herein abbreviated 2,4,5-T), with an aqueous acidic ferric reagent containing hydrogen peroxide of this invention.

The procedures and reagents described in Example 1, above, are employed, except that the methanol-water-trifluoroacetic acid proportions in the HPLC mobile phase is 70:30:0.064 (v/v/v); at a flow rate of 1.5 ml/min, the elution time is about 7.2 minutes. Ring-UL-.sup.14 C-2,4,5-T was obtained from Sigma and used as received (>98% pure).

The results, plotted in FIGS. 10 and 11, are similar to 2,4-D (Example 1 above). The 2,4,5-T transformation at pH 2.8 is somewhat slower than 2,4-D, both in the dark and in the light. Chlorine is released rapidly and quantitatively (FIG. 10); chlorine in the species 2,4,5-T, trichlorophenol (TCP), and Cl.sup.- together accounted for between 93 and 115% of total chlorine throughout the reaction period.

Using initial rates, transformation of 2,4,5-T under bright light is 1.6 times faster than in the dark. Samples, of 2,4,5-T were irradiated also under "dim" light (FIG. 11), which was 17 to 18 times lower in intensity than the bright light (and comparable to a poorly lit room). Dim light has almost no effect on 2,4,5-T transformation compared to the dark reaction. Dim light also has no effect on ring mineralization of 2,4,5-T during the first hour. However, whereas mineralization in the dark reaction is over in about two hours, mineralization under dim light continues for at least 10 hours at a slow rate. Dim light reactions at high iron concentrations (>5 mM), in which red polymeric iron products were present, reach a plateau in mineralization after about 2 hours similar to the dark reactions.

This example describes the degradation of the herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) using ferrous ion and hydrogen peroxide using the method outlined in Example 1 above, except that FeSO.sub.4 was used instead of Fe(ClO.sub.4).sub.3.

The reaction of 0.1 mM herbicide with Fe.sup.+2 and an excess of hydrogen peroxide in an air-saturated acidic solution at 21.degree. C. is plotted in FIG. 13 (--.cndot.--). At higher concentrations of ferrous ion and hydrogen peroxide, i.e., greater than about 1 mM, 0.1 mM herbicide disappears in about a minute. No loss of herbicide is observed in controls carried out with hydrogen peroxide alone or with ferrous ion alone.

The Fenton's transformation of 2,4-D under conditions in which the Fe.sup.+2 and H.sub.2 O.sub.2 were initially present in a stoichiometric ratio of 2:1 is plotted as a function of pH in FIG. 14. The reaction rate decreases as the pH drops from 4.0 to 1.8. Dichlorophenol (DCP) is produced in low yield.

Mineralization of ring-.sup.14 C-2,4-D by Fenton's reagent (Fe.sup.+2 /H.sub.2 O.sub.2) and Fe.sup.+3 /H.sub.2 O.sub.2 ferric reagent is directly compared in the plot of FIG. 15. Substituting Fe.sup.+2 in place of Fe.sup.+3 had no substantial effect on the extent of mineralization of ring-.sup.14 -C-2,4-D, except during the first few minutes. These results indicate that the Fe.sup.+3 /H.sub.2 O.sub.2 reaction is the primary cause of mineralization under the pH and other conditions that optimize the activity of the ferric reagent of this invention.

This example illustrates the degradation of atrazine using the ferric reagent of this invention.

Atrazine was purchased from Ciba-Geigy (99% pure). Ring-UL-.sup.14 C-atrazine (4.5 mCi/mmol, >98% pure) was purchased from Sigma Chemical Company. The procedures and reagents used for atrazine degradation are those described under Example 1 above, except that the mobile phase for HPLC analysis of atrazine is 65/35 (v/v) methanol-water at 1 ml per minute.

FIG. 16 shows the degradation of 0.1 mM ring-UL-.sup.14 C-atrazine in the presence of 1 mM ferric ion and 10 mM hydrogen peroxide at pH 2.75 in the dark. Atrazine disappears from solution in about 4 hours. However, no .sup.14 CO.sub.2 is released, and .sup.14 C in solution remains at initial levels. This suggests that the s-triazine ring remained intact.

The above description is for the purpose of teaching the person of ordinary skill in the art how to practice the present invention, and it is not intended to detail all those obvious modifications and variations of it which will become apparent to the skilled worker upon reading the description. It is intended, however, that all such obvious modifications and variations be included within the scope of the present invention, which is defined by the following claims.