Lorazepam photofate under photolysis and TiO2-assisted photocatalysis: Identification and evolution profiles of by-products formed during phototreatment of a WWTP effluent

This manuscript reports on the study of Lorazepam (LZP) phototransformation pathways under artificial UV and natural solar irradiation, through photolytic and TiO2-assisted photocatalytic processes. Three experimental set-ups were employed: two lab-scale photoreactors, each provided with an UV lamp (one medium pressure mercury lamp and one blacklight blue lamp), and a pilot-scale Solar Plant with Compound Parabolic Collectors (CPCs). Samples collected along the different phototreatment experiments were analyzed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography–quadrupole-time-of-flight–mass spectrometry (UHPLC/QqToF-MS). The key assumption of the analytical approach was that related compounds (LZP and its by-products (LBPs)) provide identical “diagnostic fragment ions”. Identification was also based on the chlorine atoms specific isotopic pattern, as well as accurate masses. Six major LBPs were identified and elucidated, with nominal [M + H]+ masses of 337, 303, 319, 275, 291 and 293 Da. The proposed LZP photodegradation mechanism included the initial opening of the diazepinone seven-membered ring, followed by a rearrangement into a highly stabilized six-membered aromatic ring and subsequent cleavage and/or hydroxylation reactions. The evolution profiles of LBPs were described for each of the three experimental prototypes and the CPCs Solar Pilot Plant proved to be the most efficient one. Finally, LZP photocatalytic degradation was further assessed on a municipal effluent, where the photoproducts generated showed to be more persistent than LZP itself. [Display omitted] •Lorazepam photodegradation studied by photolysis and TiO2-assisted photocatalysis.•Two distinct lab-scale photoreactors and a Solar Pilot Plant with CPCs were employed.•Similar diagnostic fragment ions for lorazepam and by-products via high resolution MS.•Main lorazepam by-products had nominal [M + H]+ masses of 337, 303, 319, 275, 291 and 293 Da.•CPCs Solar Pilot Plant provided the best phototreatment yield amongst tested systems.