Sensitized photooxidation of triclosan pesticide. A kinetic study in presence of vitamin B2

[Display omitted] •Triclosan (TCS) is a broadly-used biocide.•Vitamin B2 (Rf) under irradiation causes sensitized degradation of Triclosan.•Triclosan degradation occurs through excited states of Rf and ROS photogenerated.•TCS is degraded very much rapidly than phenol, a model of water contaminant.•Photoproducts formed after 30 min of photolysis could be identified. Kinetic and mechanistic aspects of Riboflavin (Rf, vitamin B2)-sensitized photochemical degradation of Triclosan (TCS) have been studied by time-resolved and stationary techniques. TCS is a broadly-used biocide, also employed in a series of industrial products as a multifunctional additive. Rf, in the presence of light and oxygen, generates singlet molecular oxygen (O2(1Δg)) and superoxide radical anion (O2–). Results indicate that TCS quenches the triplet excited state of Rf (3Rf*), O2(1Δg), and O2–. The reactive rate constant for the interaction TCS-O2(1Δg) is 62-faster in alkaline medium with respect to pH 7. Photosensitized degradation of TCS by Rf was much faster than for phenol, a model pollutant, in similar conditions of pH. Kinetic analysis indicated that the reaction of TCS with 3Rf* and/or O2– is the prevailing oxidative route. Based on the environmental importance of the TCS, the products were determined by UHPLC-MS / MS analysis.