What are the main by-products of lisinopril degradation in the FeCu/NC-catalyzed electro-Fenton process?

Understanding the by-products of the electro-Fenton degradation of lisinopril is important for assessing the environmental impact and completeness of the degradation process. The identification of these by-products can provide insights into the degradation pathway and the effectiveness of the FeCu/NC catalyst in breaking down the pollutant.

The main by-products of lisinopril degradation in the FeCu/NC-catalyzed electro-Fenton process include two primary aromatic compounds identified by LC-MS/MS analysis. These by-products are likely formed through the initial oxidation of lisinopril by hydroxyl radicals, followed by further degradation into smaller aromatic and aliphatic compounds. The final degradation products are short-chain linear carboxylic acids, such as oxalic acid, which are refractory intermediates in the mineralization process. The presence of these by-products indicates that the FeCu/NC catalyst effectively degrades lisinopril into simpler compounds, although complete mineralization to CO2 and H2O is not fully achieved within the tested time frame.