Abstract: A process for the reductive dehalogenation of halogenated aromatics. The process comprises reacting halogenated aromatics with sodium or calcium in the presence of a lower alcohol selected from the group comprising methanol, ethanol or isopropanol and mixtures thereof in order to convert the halogenated aromatics to hydrogenated aromatics. The halogenated aromatics are preferably reacted with sodium in the presence of methanol under reaction conditions whereby said sodium is in molten form. The preferred starting sodium/methanol/halogen molar ratio ranges from 30-40/15-20/1. The process is particularly useful for dechlorinating polychlorinated biphenyl found in electrical transformer oil.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the reductive dehalogenation of polyhaloaromatic compounds. It comprises reacting polyhaloaromatics in a hydrocarbon or silicone-based oil or an organic diluent, with an alkali metal in the presence of an ammonium salt to reduce the polyhaloaromatics to hydrogenated aromatics and to convert the halogen content to metal halides. Preferably, the polyhaloaromatics and the ammonium salt are to be reacted with the alkali metal in the form of a suspension. Other preferred features include the use of an amount of alkali metal ranging from 5 to 10 moles and the use of an amount of ammonium salt also ranging from 5 to 10 moles for each mole of the polyhaloaromatic compound to be reduced, carrying out the reaction under an inert atmosphere and carrying out the reaction at a temperature ranging from 40.degree. to 60.degree. C.