Homogeneous and heterogeneous photosensitized transformations of 4-chlorophenol (4-CP) and pentachlorophenol (PCP) using palladium octadodecylthiophthalocyanine (PdODPc) were investigated. Under heterogeneous conditions, the photosensitizer was supported on functionalized single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs). Homogeneous photosensitization proved to be more effective than the heterogeneous reaction in terms of percentage of transformation achieved. The kinetics of heterogeneous catalysis proved that ads-PdODPc-SWCNT-COOH (where SWCNT has been functionalized with COOH groups) was reusable for 4-CP while its activity degenerated when reused for PCP. Singlet oxygen was confirmed as playing an active role in the reactions. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.