Reduction of 1,2-dibromoethane in the presence of zero-valent iron

The degradation reaction of 1,2-dibromoethane (ethylene dibromide or EDB) in water was studied in the presence of zero-valent iron (acid-cleaned, cast iron) in well-mixed batch aqueous systems. The observed products were ethylene and bromide ions. Carbon and bromine mass recoveries of ≥ 95% were obtained. Bromoethane and vinyl bromide were not observed. The reduction rates of bromoethane and vinyl bromide with iron indicate that they should have been observed if they were significant reaction intermediates for EDB. The results indicate that reductive β-elimination may be the dominant reaction pathway. Reaction kinetics are rapid and pseudo-first order. The activation energy was determined to be 50 kJ/mol, indicating that the reaction rate may not be aqueous phase diffusion controlled but rather controlled by the chemical reaction rate on the iron surface. Metallic iron may be a suitable treatment approach for EDB-contaminated groundwater in above-ground, as well as in situ applications, due to rapid kinetics and nontoxic products.