Decomposition of aqueous fluorene by γ-rays and product analysis

Fluorene degradation was investigated in aqueous solution, saturated with air or N2O as a function of the absorbed radiation dose. The observed initial degradation yields (Gi values) are 2.41 and 1.04, respectively. In addition to these series, also studies were performed in media containing: 90% air and 10% N2O (Gi=1.1), 50% air and 50% N2O (Gi=0.9) and 10% air and 90% N2O (Gi=0.5). In all cases, as major degradation products 9-fluorenone and 9-fluorene carboxylic acid were found in addition to a mixture of aldehydes and carboxylic acids. Their yield depends on the starting pollutant concentration, absorbed radiation dose and oxygen content in the solution. For explanation of the results, probable reaction mechanisms are given