Catalytic dehalogenation of highly chlorinated benzenes and aroclors using PdCl2(dppf) and NaBH4: efficiency, selectivity, and base support

A study was conducted to evaluate the efficiency of a one-pot system that can catalytically dehalogenate highly-chlorinated aroclors and benzenes at reasonable conversion rates. The system utilizes THF as solvent, PdCl2(dppf) as catalyst, NaBH4 as reducing agent and TMEDA as a supporting base. Results on dechlorination efficiency and regioselectivity were considered satisfactory.