Iron is the most abundant metal on earth crust and its application in synthesizing industrial chemicals and in remediating environment are the need of the 21st century. This paper presents applications of the high-valent iron oxo compound, ferrate (FeVIO42-) in sustainable organic synthesis and transformation of emerging contaminants in water. Emerging contaminations in aquatic environment have implications in human and ecological health. Hydroxylation of hydrocarbons and conversion of alcohols to aldehyde/ketone are the representative examples of selectivity in synthesizing organic molecules. Many organic compounds of amines, aniline, phenolic, and thiol functionalities can be oxidized by ferrate, which aid in transforming pharmaceuticals (e.g. antibiotics). A wide range of antibiotics can be efficiently oxidized by ferrate on a second to minutes time scale. The results of the evaluation of toxicity of the oxidized products will be presented. The reduced product of ferrate is the environmentally friendly and magnetic iron(III) oxide, thus ferrate as a green molecule has potential in treating emerging contaminants in water.

Ferrate (FeVI) as a sustainable green oxidant: Selectivity and transformation of pharmaceuticals

251st National Meeting (2016)

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