Use of metal chelate complexes in dehalogenation

A method for dehalogenation of a halogenated organic compound suspended, dispersed or dissolved in an aqueous medium, said method comprising the step of causing the halogenated compound to react with a reducing agent in the presence of a complex of a corrin containing a metal centered ring system of the formula:

• ##STR19## where M is cobalt, nickel, molybdenum, iron or magnesium;
• A and B are coordinating ligands which may be the same or different;
• a and b are each 0 or 1;
• R.sup.1 is selected from the group consisting of NH.sub.2 and OH;
• R.sup.2 is selected from the group consisting of H, CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 COOH and CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CONH.sub.2 ;
• R.sup.3 is selected from the group consisting of H, CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 COOH and CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CONH.sub.2 ;
• and R.sup.4 is selected from the group consisting of NHCH.sub.2 CH(OH)CH.sub.3, OH and NH.sub.2,
• wherein the halogenated compound suspended, dispersed or dissolved in the aqueous medium is an environmental pollutant or industrial waste and the dehalogenated reaction is carried out between 20.degree. C. and 80.degree. C., at a pH of about 9 and in the absence of light.