Synthesis and analytical follow-up of the mineralization of a new fluorosurfactant prototype

Chemosphere. 2008 Aug;72(10):1534-1540. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2008.04.066. Epub 2008 Jun 30.

Abstract

Fluorinated surfactants have become essential in numerous technical applications due to their unparalleled effectiveness and efficiency. The environmental persistence of the non-biodegradable perfluorinated alkyl moiety has become a matter of concern. Therefore, it was searched for new molecules with chemically stable fluorinated end groups which can be microbially transformed into labile fluorinated substances. One prototype substance, 10-(trifluoromethoxy)decane-1-sulfonate, has shown biomineralization. Monitoring the formation of metabolites over time elucidated the mechanism of biotransformation. Analysis was performed utilizing liquid chromatography-single quadrupole mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and quadrupole-time of flight tandem mass spectrometry (QqTOF-MS). It was possible to distinguish between two major degradation pathways of the fluorinated alkylsulfonate derivative: (i) a desulfonation and subsequent oxidation and degradation of the alkyl chain being predominant and (ii) an insertion of oxygen with a subsequent cleavage and degradation of the molecule. The utilized trifluoromethoxy-endgroup resulted in instable trifluoromethanol after degradation of the alkyl chain, which led to a high degree of mineralization of the molecule.

MeSH terms

  • Biodegradation, Environmental
  • Bioreactors
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
  • Chromatography, Liquid
  • Environmental Microbiology
  • Fluorine / chemistry*
  • Mass Spectrometry
  • Minerals / chemistry*
  • Molecular Structure
  • Organic Chemicals / chemical synthesis
  • Organic Chemicals / chemistry
  • Surface-Active Agents / chemical synthesis*
  • Surface-Active Agents / chemistry*
  • Surface-Active Agents / metabolism

Substances

  • Minerals
  • Organic Chemicals
  • Surface-Active Agents
  • Fluorine