Disinfection by-products from halogenation of aqueous solutions of terpenoids.

We report the formation of trihalomethanes and other disinfection by-products from four polyfunctional terpenoids during simulated chlorination of natural waters. Complex suites of products were identified by closed loop stripping analysis (CLSA)/gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) from halogenation of beta-carotene and retinol. beta-Ionone appeared to be a key intermediate in the halogenation of beta-carotene and retinol, reacting further under the reaction conditions to produce trans-beta-ionone-5,6-epoxide and beta-cyclocitral.