The degradation capacity of advanced oxidants generated from oxygen reduction was investigated in model effluent containing chlorobenzene, aniline and benzene through the advanced oxidation processes (AOPs). Intermediate products of the degradation process were determined by GC-MS, and they contributed to specify the degradation pathways ofmonoaromatic compounds. The study particularly focused on the influence of the dosage of the oxidant, pH and the initial concentration of organic compounds on the degradation effectiveness. When the dosage of oxidant was 4 wt% and the pH was 7, the maximumdegradation rates of 74.83% chlorobenzene, 70.32% aniline and 37.69% benzene were achieved. Furthermore, microwave was applied to intensify the oxidation process under optimal operation conditions, and the degradation rates were increased to 87.85% chlorobenzene, 89.11% aniline and 39.03% benzene, respectively. (C) 2018 The Chemical Industry and Engineering Society of China, and Chemical Industry Press Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.