Contrary to previous reports, the reaction mechanism of chlorine dioxide (OClO⊙) with benzyl alcohols involves both radical cation and benzyl radical mechanisms dependent on pH. The primary reaction product between OClO⊙ and 1-(3, 4-dimethoxy-phenyl) ethanol at pH 8 is 3, 4-dimethoxyacetophenone. At pH 4 no acetophenone was observed; the majority of the degradation products were chlorinated and aromatic ring-oxidized compounds. A ...
