Reagent-free and pH-independent degradation of N-nitrosamines using electrons generated via corona discharge at ambient pressure.

Traditional degradation methods for N-nitrosamines are either confined with acid solution or required for additional chemical reagents to guarantee high reaction efficiency. Herein, we demonstrate a facile and effective way for reagent-free and pH-independent degradation of N-nitrosamines, which was induced by free electrons generated via corona discharge at ambient pressure. The highly reactive free electron is produced in situ and responsible for degradation of three N-nitrosamines, which was also theoretically confirmed. N-nitrosamines were believed to be reduced by electrons and to form the radical anion, which underwent a selectively heterolytic cleavage of the N-NO bonds to form the corresponding secondary amines as the degradation products.