In present work, nano zero valent iron (nZVI) particles were synthesized by reduction of FeSO4 by NaBH4 in presence of chelating ligand EDTA (nZVI) in N2 environment. It was then Ball milled to reduce particle size. Particle characterization was performed byX ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transformed Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), dynamic light scattering (DLS) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area measurement, high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), and energy dispersive X ray spectroscopy (EDX).Catalysts so prepared were applied to degrade coke oven plant wastewater containing Phenol. Optimum condition of dephenolization process was: catalyst concentration: 0.05 g L−1, pH = 3, Phenol: hydrogen peroxide (50%) concentration =1:14 (Stoichiometric ratio), temp = 30–35°C. Reaction volume = 100 mL. It has been found that phenol containing coke oven plant can be effectively degraded up to 70–75% in presence of newly developed catalyst. COD (Chemical Oxygen demand) reduction was found to be nearly 33%. Both are within 1-h duration. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 36: 1700–1708, 2017. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog