Reinvestigation of the acetone degradation mechanism in dilute aqueous solution by the UV/H2O2 process

A reinvestigation of the UV/H2O2 treatment of acetone has revealed previously undetected intermediates (pyruvic acid, pyruvic aldehyde, and hydroxyacetone). The time profiles of the concentrations of all intermediates have been determined, and a detailed mechanism for the degradation steps accounting for all detected intermediates is proposed. A kinetic model was developed on the basis of the proposed mechanism, and the predicted patterns of the reactants and intermediates are in good agreement with the experimental data. The application of the UV/H2O2 process to the degradation of acetone results in the eventual mineralization of all organic compounds, as demonstrated by TOC measurements.