Transformation of tetrabromobisphenol a in the iron ions-catalyzed auto-oxidation of HSO32−/SO32− process

•Fe(III)/S(IV) process was firstly applied to treat TBBPA in aqueous condition.•SO4•− and HO• accounted for TBBPA removal with HO• as the dominant.•Degradation pathway of TBBPA in the Fe(III)/S(IV) process was proposed.•The influences of different operational conditions were studied.•Br in TBBPA could be transformed to Br− without producing BrO3−.