Microwave decomposition of a chlorinated pesticide (Lindane) supported on modified sepiolites

Inorganic porous materials based on modified sepiolites have been studied as supports for controlled degradation of Lindane, a chlorinated pesticide. In dry media conditions under microwave (MW) irradiation, sepiolite can dehydrohalogenate Lindane to pentachlorocyclohexene (PCCH). Trichlorobenzene (TCB) and PCCH are obtained with NaOH-modified sepiolite and, when nickel oxide is present in the solid, CO2 is also found as a product of the reaction, in different proportions depending on the surface characteristics. (C) 2002 Elsevier science B.V. All rights reserved.