Membrane Introduction Mass Spectrometry (MIMS) was used to investigate chloroform degradation in acidic aqueous medium by sodium hypochloride (NaClO). From the experimental results a reaction sequence for the complete degradation of CHCl3 to CO2 and HCl was suggested. Furthermore, it was also proposed the formation of phosgene (COCl2) as a transient species under these experimental conditions.
membrane introduction mass spectrometry; chloroform degradation monitoring; sodium hypochloride; reaction mechanism; transient species
