Theoretical investigation of reactivities of amines in the N-nitrosation reactions by N2O3

The Roles of Sono-induced Nitrosation and Nitration in the Sono-degradation of Diphenylamine in Water: Mechanisms, Kinetics and Impact Factors

The potential risks of sono-induced nitrosation and nitration side reactions and consequent toxic nitrogenous byproducts were first investigated via sono-degradation of diphenylamine (DPhA) in this study. The kinetic models for overall DPhA degradation and the formation of nitrosation byproduct (N-nitrosodiphenylamine, NDPhA) and nitration byproducts (2-nitro-DPhA and 4-nitro-DPhA) were well established and fitted (R² > 0.98). Nitrosation contributed much more than nitration (namely, 43.3 - 47.3 times) to the sono-degradation of DPhA. The contribution of sono-induced nitrosation ranged from 0.4 to 56.6% at different conditions. The maximum NDPhA formation rate and the contribution of sono-induced nitrosation were obtained at 600 and 200 kHz, respectively, as ultrasonic frequencies at 200 to 800 kHz. Both NDPhA formation rate and the contribution of sono-induced nitrosation increased with increasing power density, while decreased with increasing initial pH and DPhA concentration. PO₄^3-, HCO₃^-, NH₄⁺ and Fe²⁺ presented negative impacts on sono-induced nitrosation in order of HCO₃^- >> Fe²⁺ > PO₄^3- > NH₄⁺, while Br^- exhibited a promoting effect. The mechanism of NDPhA formation via sono-induced nitrosation was first proposed.

Nitrosamines and Nitramines in Amine-Based Carbon Dioxide Capture Systems: Fundamentals, Engineering Implications, and Knowledge Gaps

Amine-based absorption is the primary contender for postcombustion CO₂ capture from fossil fuel-fired power plants. However, significant concerns have arisen regarding the formation and emission of toxic nitrosamine and nitramine byproducts from amine-based systems. This paper reviews the current knowledge regarding these byproducts in CO₂ capture systems. In the absorber, flue gas NO_x drives nitrosamine and nitramine formation after its dissolution into the amine solvent. The reaction mechanisms are reviewed based on CO₂ capture literature as well as biological and atmospheric chemistry studies. In the desorber, nitrosamines are formed under high temperatures by amines reacting with nitrite (a hydrolysis product of NO_x), but they can also thermally decompose following pseudo-first order kinetics. The effects of amine structure, primarily amine order, on nitrosamine formation and the corresponding mechanisms are discussed. Washwater units, although intended to control emissions from the absorber, can contribute to additional nitrosamine formation when accumulated amines react with residual NO_x. Nitramines are much less studied than nitrosamines in CO₂ capture systems. Mitigation strategies based on the reaction mechanisms in each unit of the CO₂ capture systems are reviewed. Lastly, we highlight research needs in clarifying reaction mechanisms, developing analytical methods for both liquid and gas phases, and integrating different units to quantitatively predict the accumulation and emission of nitrosamines and nitramines.

Synthesis and application of a quaternary phosphonium polymer coagulant to avoid N-nitrosamine formation

Quaternary ammonium cationic polymers, such as poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (polyDADMAC) are widely used for coagulating and removing negatively charged particles and dissolved organic matter (DOM) from drinking water. Their use, however, has been linked to the formation of carcinogenic N-nitrosamines as byproducts during chloramine-based drinking water disinfection. In this study, a novel quaternary phosphonium cationic polymer, poly(diallyldiethylphosphonium chloride) (polyDADEPC), was synthesized such that the quaternary nitrogen atom of polyDADMAC was substituted with a phosphorus atom. Formation potential tests revealed that even under strong nitrosation conditions, polyDADEPC and related lower-order P-based compounds formed oxygenated and not nitrosated products. Bench-scale jar tests using three different source waters further demonstrated that polyDADEPC achieved coagulation performance comparable to commercial polyDADMACs for particle and DOM removals within the typical dose range used for drinking water treatment. This work highlights the potential use of a phosphonium coagulant polymer, polyDADEPC, as a viable alternative to polyDADMAC to avoid nitrosated byproduct formation during chloramination.