Liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry analysis of photodegradation of a diazo compound: A mechanistic study

The photolytic degradation of the diazo dye, Amido Black, using UV/H2O2 has been carried out experimentally and parameters for most efficient dye degradation have been determined. The degradation of the dye was followed by UV-Vis spectroscopy, HPLC, and LC-MS and is proposed to be initiated by OH radicals formed by the photolysis of H2O2. A detailed study was also carried out using LC-MS and LC-MS/MS to determine the degradation pathway of the dye as well as to identify some of the intermediate products formed. Our results suggest that Amido Black degradation occurs preferentially by OH radical attack at the more electron rich diazo functionality of the molecule. Furthermore, evidence is presented that subsequent steps in this diazo dye degradation pathway include radical denitration, radical desulfonation and radical diazotization. This report is one of the very few studies that have proposed possible mechanistic pathways for the degradation pathways of a diazo compound. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.