This research line focuses on the study of oxidation reactions, whether catalysed or not, in solution. The goal is to propose a reaction mechanism for their control and the determination of reaction products and intermediates.
Oxidation reactions mainly use natural oxidants found both in the environment and in the biological environment, including peroxynitrite, hydrogen peroxide and ozone. The main substrates used are compounds widely used by humans, such as cosmetics and personal care products, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, food additives, aerosols, etc. All these compounds are included in the so-called emerging pollutants.
Emerging pollutants, also known as pollutants of emerging concern, are chemical substances recently detected in waters, posing potential risks to the environment and human health. As their concentration is very low, they are often unregulated and can cause environmental and health damage. One of the objectives of this line of research is to identify the resulting products and to evaluate both their reaction mechanism and their possible toxicity.
This line of research is currently developing studies of the peroxynitrite reaction with:
- Drugs: Salicylates.
- Food additives: flavourings, benzaldehyde derivatives.
- Pesticides: organo-sulphur herbicides.
- Aerosols: Saturated aliphatic aldehydes.
- Personal care products: Parabens.