POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC SULFUR HETEROCYCLES .2. PHOTOCHEMICAL OXIDATION OF BENZO[B]THIOPHENE IN AQUEOUS-SOLUTION

Benzo[b]thiophene was irradiated in aqueous solution as a model compound for polycyclic aromatic sulfur heterocycles which are constituents of e.g. crude oils. The experiments were designed to simulate the photooxidation through sun-light in order to allow the identification of those products which can be expected from an oil-spill in the oceans. The primary photoproduct was benzo[b]thiophene-2,3-quinone which after hydrolysis, loss of carbon monoxide and oxidation of the sulfur atom ultimately was converted into 2-sulfobenzoic acid.