Oxidation of amitriptyline and nortriptyline by ferrate(VI): efficiency and reaction pathways

The removal rate of AMI and NOR increased with increasing Fe(VI) dosage and was seen to be pH dependent in the order pH 7.0 < 10.0 < 8.0 < 9.0. UV irradiation at 254 nm was found to exert a synergistic effect on the Fe(VI) oxidation of AMI and NOR.

By LC–ESI-MS/MS analysis, the main oxidation products of AMI and NOR by Fe(VI) have been identified. The exocyclic double bond is first oxidized to give the exo -epoxide, which is then hydrolyzed and finally oxidized to give dibenzosuberenone and 3-dimethylamino-propionaldehyde. The results suggest that Fe(VI) has a good ability to oxidize AMI and NOR in aqueous solution and could be an effective treatment method for the purification of waters containing these particular antidepressants.