Laser-induced dissociation of polychlorinated biphenyls in the liquid phase

The possibility of a quantitative laser-induced decomposition of mixtures of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the liquid phase has been investigated, employing radiation from three different excimer lasers (XeCl at 308 nm, KrF at 248 nm and ArF at 193 nm). The decomposition of all the congeners of the PCB family occurs after absorption of one photon per molecule at 248 nm from the KrF laser, as shown by means of gas chromatographic techniques. Preliminary information about the final photodissociation products has also been obtained. © 1988.