Protonation and degradation reactions of s-triazine herbicides

Desethyl atrazine and desethyl terbutylazine, the degradation products of two commonly encountered pesticides, were investigated by UV spectrophotometric and electrochemical techniques. In a sufficiently acidic environment, both compounds undergo further redox degradation which involves the cleavage of the chlorine atom. The reaction is pH dependent and proceeds via the protonated forms of both compounds. Spectrophotometric data indicate that the pH required for this reaction is about one unit lower than that required for the degradation of the parent pesticides.