UV-degradation of IPBC in natural water sample

Abstract

IPBC as a preservative compound for wood furniture has been used for more than thirty years. The degradation of IPBC caused of bacterial biotransformation and UV-light has been considered to be the main reason for IPBC degradation. In our experiments Hg UV-lamp has been used to expose the IPBC solution for UV-light and we found that it degrades immediately. By using GC-MS we found it gives two main products with molecular mass of 112 and 98. The 98m/z is the final product when the UV-light gives enough energy. In a natural water sample only little IPBC degradation product has been found, and it has a molecular mass of 112. This is caused by lower energy that is emitted from natural sunshine compared to the Hg UV-lamp. The little effect sunlight has on IPBC makes it a good outdoor preservative.