Riboflavin tetraacetate: a potentially useful photosensitizing agent for the treatment of contaminated waters

Research indicates that photochemical processes - whether induced by sunlight or by actinic radiation - can effectively degrade wastewater contaminants. One University of Illinois study of the effect of ring substituents on photolysis rates found tetraacetylriboflavin (RTA) to be an especially effective photosensitizer, compared to riboflavin and anilines. Study results indicate that RTA might be a potentially useful catalyst for water pollution remediation. Experimental procedures and results are described in detail.