A recyclable polymer-supported ruthenium catalyst for the oxidative degradation of bisphenol A in water using hydrogen peroxide

A polypyridyl ruthenium(ıı) complex, cis-[Ruᴵᴵ(2,9-Me₂phen)₂(H₂O)₂]²⁺, has been adsorbed onto the cation-exchange resins Dowex-50W and Chelex-100. The potential use of the supported ruthenium(ıı) complex as catalyst for the oxidative degradation of organic pollutants in water has been investigated using bisphenol A, an emerging endocrine disruptor, as substrate; and the environmentally friendly H₂O₂ as oxidant. These solid-supported catalysts are found to be efficient for the degradation of bisphenol A in aqueous solution by H₂O₂ under ambient conditions. The intermediates and products formed during the oxidative degradation of bisphenol A by these catalytic systems have been identified and a mechanism is proposed. The supported catalysts are easily recovered by simple filtration and display no loss of activity when recycled. Copyright © 2011 The Royal Society of Chemistry and the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique.