Features of Sulfonation of Polychlorinated Biphenyl Congeners

Abstract

Sulfonation of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and their commercial mixture (Trichlorobiphenyl) with oleum has been studied. General sulfonation patterns have been revealed for PCB congeners having no substituents in the ortho positions. The sulfonation of PCBs with chlorine atoms in only one aromatic ring gives exclusively the corresponding polychlorobiphenylmonosulfonic acids. The sulfonation of PCBs with chlorine atoms in both aromatic rings is accompanied by side formation of polychlorodibenzothiophene S,S-dioxides.