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Environmental fate & pathways

Phototransformation in air

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Endpoint:
phototransformation in air
Type of information:
experimental study
Adequacy of study:
other information
Reliability:
4 (not assignable)
Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:
documentation insufficient for assessment
Principles of method if other than guideline:
According to Nojima et al. (1975)
GLP compliance:
not specified
Light source:
Xenon lamp
Light spectrum: wavelength in nm:
<= 300
% Degr.:
20

The irradiation of m-nitrotoluene in air yielded nitrophenol derivatives: 3-methyl-2-nitrophenol (trace), 3-methyl-6-nitrophenol (trace) and 3-methyl-4-nitrophenol (4.6%). Through these experiments it is noticed that the reaction did never afford the directly hydroxylated derivatives of the original nitrotoluenes. It might be considered from these results that  the photo-excited nitro compounds turned at first into the corresponding phenols, followed by nitration.


When m-nitrotoluene was irradiated in nitrogen, the nitro group turned into the hydroxyl group.

Executive summary:

Nojima, 1977


The irradiation of m-nitrotoluene in air yielded nitrophenol derivatives: 3-methyl-2-nitrophenol (trace), 3-methyl-6-nitrophenol (trace) and 3-methyl-4-nitrophenol (4.6%). Through these experiments it is noticed that the reaction did never afford the directly hydroxylated derivatives of the original nitrotoluenes. It might be considered from these results that  the photo-excited nitro compounds turned at first into the corresponding phenols, followed by nitration.


When m-nitrotoluene was irradiated in nitrogen, the nitro group turned into the hydroxyl group.

Endpoint:
phototransformation in air
Type of information:
(Q)SAR
Adequacy of study:
other information
Reliability:
4 (not assignable)
Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:
results derived from a (Q)SAR model, with limited documentation / justification
Principles of method if other than guideline:
AOPWIN v. 1.91, 2000
GLP compliance:
no
Details on test conditions:
Sensitiser (for indirect photolysis): OH
Sensitiser concentration: 500000 molecule/cm³
% Degr.:
50
Sampling time:
27.6 d

Rate constant (for indirect photolysis): 0.0000000000005808 cm³/(molecule*sec)

Executive summary:

EPI Suite (AopWin v. 1.91) calculation for 3-nitrotoluene


Sensitiser (for indirect photolysis): OH Sensitiser concentration: 500,000 molecule/cm³


- Rate constant (for indirect photolysis): 0.0000000000005808 cm³/(molecule*sec)
- Degradation in % (for indirect photolysis): 50 after 27.6 day(s)

Endpoint:
phototransformation in air
Type of information:
experimental study
Adequacy of study:
other information
Reliability:
4 (not assignable)
Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:
documentation insufficient for assessment
Principles of method if other than guideline:
other (measured)
GLP compliance:
not specified
Specific details on test material used for the study:
- Name of test material (as cited in study report): m-Nitrotoluol
- Analytical purity: no data
Details on test conditions:
Sensitiser (for indirect photolysis): OH
Sensitiser concentration: 500000 molecule/cm³
% Degr.:
50
Sampling time:
17 d

Rate constant (for indirect photolysis): 0.00000000000095 cm³/(molecule*sec)

Executive summary:

Nolting et al., 1987


The reactivity of 3-nitrotoluene to OH radicals was determined experimentally. The rate constant (for indirect photolysis) was 0.00000000000095 cm³/(molecule*sec) for 3-nitrotoluene, equivalent to a half-life period (t1/2) of 17 days, assuming a mean tropospheric OH radical concentration of 5×105 molecules/cm³. In view of the UV absorption of nitrotoluenes in the sunlight range (wavelength > 295 nm) there is a possibility of direct photolysis under tropospheric conditions.

Description of key information

For transported isolated intermediates according to REACh, Article 18, this endpoint is not a data requirement. However, data is available for this endpoint and is thus reported under the guidance of "all available data".


Nolting et al., 1987


The reactivity of 3-nitrotoluene to OH radicals was determined experimentally. The rate constant (for indirect photolysis) was 0.00000000000095 cm³/(molecule*sec) for 3-nitrotoluene, equivalent to a half-life period (t1/2) of 17 days, assuming a mean tropospheric OH radical concentration of 5×105 molecules/cm³. In view of the UV absorption of nitrotoluenes in the sunlight range (wavelength > 295 nm) there is a possibility of direct photolysis under tropospheric conditions.


EPI Suite (AopWin v. 1.91) calculation for 3-nitrotoluene


Sensitiser (for indirect photolysis): OH Sensitiser concentration: 500,000 molecule/cm³


- Rate constant (for indirect photolysis): 0.0000000000005808 cm³/(molecule*sec)
- Degradation in % (for indirect photolysis): 50 after 27.6 day(s)


Nojima, 1977


The irradiation of m-nitrotoluene in air yielded nitrophenol derivatives: 3-methyl-2-nitrophenol (trace), 3-methyl-6-nitrophenol (trace) and 3-methyl-4-nitrophenol (4.6%). Through these experiments it is noticed that the reaction did never afford the directly hydroxylated derivatives of the original nitrotoluenes. It might be considered from these results that  the photo-excited nitro compounds turned at first into the corresponding phenols, followed by nitration.


When m-nitrotoluene was irradiated in nitrogen, the nitro group turned into the hydroxyl group.

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Half-life in air:
17 d
Degradation rate constant with OH radicals:
0 cm³ molecule-1 s-1

Additional information