Reaction of ortho-methoxybenzoic acid with the water disinfecting agents ozone, chlorine and sodium hypochlorite

Ozone, chlorine and sodium hypochlorite are commonly used as disinfecting agents for drinking water production. The reaction pathways of ozonation and chlorination of o-methoxybenzoic acid in aqueous solution were studied using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). The results show that less than 1% of o-methoxybenzoic acid remains in reaction. The final major products using ozone oxidation are oxalic and glyoxalic acids. Phenols appear only at insufficient ozone levels. Sodium hypochlorite leads to higher levels of primary products. Molecular chlorine leads to the formation of higher amounts of polychlorinated derivatives. Model experiments allow to propose schemes of o-methoxybenzoic acid transformation under the conditions simulating water treatment processes.