Chloroaromatics remediation: Insights into the chemical reduction and hydrodechlorination of chlorobenzenes

Chloroaromatic compounds—including not only chlorobenzenes, but alsochloroanilines, chlorophenols and others—are chemicals widely used for decades as industrial solvents, synthetic intermediates, and pesticides. However, many of these compounds are classified as persistent organic pollutants due to their biaccumulative nature, additionally having toxic and neurotoxic effects to humans and animals. Significant stocks of obsolete chloroaromatics, along with numerous heavily contaminated sites worldwide—including air, surface water, groundwater, and soil—underscore the urgent need for efficient remediation strategies. Chemical reduction has emerged as a well-stablished and effective approach for the transformation and/or valorization of chloroaromatics, particularly chlorobenzenes, into less toxic and higher-value compounds, such as cyclohexane and benzene. This approach may also yield other specific products such as methane, polyaromatics, and carbon-based nanomaterials.