Fenton's reagent degradation of 2,4-dinitrotoluene in water-acetone mixtures

Fenton's reagent was used to degrade 2,4-dinitrotoluene (DNT) in water-acetone mixtures simulating contaminated soil extract solutions. DNT degradation was effective in water only and was impacted by acetone. The maximum DNT degradation was 20% at acetone concentrations greater than 3 M. Over 65% DNT degradation was measured at acetone concentrations less than 1.38 M. DNT degradation behavior in the presence of acetone indicated that the latter is a major hydroxyl radical scavenger but it may also contribute to DNT removal through secondary reactions involving acetone degradation products and oxygen.