Polyhalogenated phenols (PHPs) are commonly employed as pesticides, insecticides, and herbicides. However, these compounds are environmentally dangerous, as they are known to be endocrine disruptors as well as precursors to dioxins. As a result, discovery of an efficient degradation route for PHPs is needed.

Electrochemistry is a useful technique for degrading pollutants, as the reduction of the carbon–halogen bond is well understood. Less known, however, is the electroreductive behavior at phenols. While phenol oxidation has been well studied, several issues arise in reducing phenols, such as competitive hydrogen evolution and unwanted dimerization. This work seeks to understand the nature of phenol degradation through a model compound (tetrabromobisphenol A), then apply this knowledge to degrade toxic pollutants, including halogenated hydroxybenzonitriles and the pesticide chlorpyrifos.