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Institute
This study aims at investigating the abiotic degradation pathway of
ethylenediaminetetra(methylenephosphonic acid) (EDTMP) simulated applying UV
irradiation. The degradation of EDTMP and formation of degradation products was
determined using LC-MS and ³¹P-NMR. In the laboratory scale experiments, EDTMP was
degraded within 30 min and the degradation products, iminodi(methylenephosphonic
acid) (IDMP), ethylaminobis(methylenephosphonic acid) (EABMP), and amino-
(methylenephosphonic acid) (AMPA), were simultaneously released. IDMP was the
main degradation product of EDTMP. Therefore, we conclude that the initial cleavage of
EDTMP is a heterolytically driven process, which starts the degradation process at the
intramolecular C-N bond. In contrast, the main product of a possible homolytic C-C
cleavage of methylaminobis(methylenephosphonic acid) could not be confirmed with
either LC-MS or ³¹P-NMR. Additionally, there was no evidence for a primary attack on
the C-P bond. All identified degradation products of EDTMP have been mineralized to
carbon dioxide (CO₂). Three additional degradation products (M1, M2, and M3) have
been found using the ³¹P-NMR analysis but have not yet been quantified using LC-MS.
We assume that the unidentified degradation product M1 is related to m/z 312, M2
to m/z 341, and M3 to m/z 409. Thus we concluded that EDTMP undergoes photochemical
conversion to IDMP, the main degradation product. EABMP and AMPA also accumulate,
but in smaller amounts. All intermediates are further mineralized to CO₂.