The chemical destruction of polychlorinated biphenyls by sodium naphthalenide

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Abstract
Sodium naphthalenide, which is easily prepared from sodium and naphthalene in tetrahydrofuran (THF) as solvent, is examined as a chemical reagent for chemically destroying polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) by quantitatively dechlorinating them. The reaction is shown to be successful with dechlorination occurring in excess of 99.5% at 22°C in 15–30 min. Maximum concentrations of PCBs in THF and minimum naphthalene:chloride ratios are established. Recovery and reuse of THF and naphthalene is investigated as is the nature of the polymeric dechlorinated organic product obtained. A small reactor is described which is used to sequentially destroy PCBs in batch reactions reusing recovered THF and making efficient use of the sodium metal.