OZONE
Ozone is a highly unstable triatomic allotrope of oxygen. Oxygen (O 2) and ozone (O3)
are the two allotropes of the same element oxygen.
Allotropy is the property by virtue of which an element may exist in different forms
in same physical state differing in physical properties and also to some extent in
chemical properties.
Properties of ozone
• Pure ozone is a pale blue gas and liquid form is deep blue.
• It is about 1.5 times heavier than air.
• It is slightly soluble in water and readily soluble in turpentine oil.
• It has the characteristic unpleasant fishy smell.
• It is harmless when present in small amounts but in large quantities (above 100
ppm), it has poisonous nature.
• It is more powerful oxidizing agent than oxygen.
Occurrence of Ozone
• The ozone layer lies in the stratosphere (upper atmosphere, 10-50 km from earth's
surface) between 12-25 kilometers from the earth surface where its concentration is
about 10 ppm. Naturally, ozone is formed in the stratosphere from O 2 molecules.
O2 molecules split into atoms as they absorb ultraviolet radiation from the sun. The
oxygen atom then combines with the O2 molecule to give ozone molecule.
• O2(g) ⟶ O + O
• O2(g) + O ⟶ O3
• In the lower level of atmosphere, it also gets formed due to decomposition of NO 2 gas
by sunlight. NO2 gas is formed at atmosphere due to oxidation of pollutant NO gas.
NO2(g) ⟶ NO + O
O + O2(g) ⟶O3(g)
Structure of Ozone
• The microwave studies have shown that O3 molecule is V-shaped with bond angle
116.8° and bond length 1.278A°. The bond length is intermediate between that for
O-O single bond (1.48A°) and for O = O double bond (1.21A°). Therefore, O3 is
considered to be a resonance hybrid of the following two canonical forms. Each O-
atom may be thought as roughly sp2-hybridised.
Preparation of Ozone
Ozone is best prepared by silent electric discharges through pure and dry oxygen.
3O2 ⇌ 2O3 − 285.4 kJ
Different types of ionizers can be used for this purpose. The ionizer contains an
annular space between two tubes through which oxygen passes. In Siemen's
ozoniser, the inner tube is of iron or glass and it's concentric with outer one of
glass, partly coated with tin foil. Both these are connected to the two secondary
terminals of an induction coil and the ozone produced is continuously swept out by
the fresh current of oxygen.
Fig: Siemens ozonizer
Test for Ozone
Ozone gives blue color with starch iodine (KI + starch solution) due to oxidation of KI to
Iodine.
KI + O3 ⟶ K2O + I2 + O2
It turns benzidine paper brown.
Tailing of mercury test:
A drop of mercury wets the surface of glass and forms a tail in presence of ozone. This is also
called as tailing of mercury.
2Hg + O3 ⟶ Hg2O + O2
Application of ozone
• Ozone can be used as a strong germicide and disinfectant.
• It is used as sterilizing agent for air and water.
• It is used to purify atmosphere in underground railways, tunnels, mine,
kitchens, slaughter houses, theaters etc.
• It is used in ozonolysis of organic compounds to get carbonyl compounds.
• Ozone is used for bleaching ivory, wax, and delicate fabrics.
• It is also used in the production of synthetic camphor and artificial silk.
Depletion of ozone layer and ozone hole
In stratosphere (10-50 km) between (12-24 km) there is thin diffused layer (10 ppm) ozone layer or
ozonosphere.
Decrease in conc. of ozone layer to 7-8 ppm is called depletion of ozone layer. After continuous
depletion ,hole is formed, which was first discovered by NASA scientist in 1958 over Antartica.
Ozone layer is decreasing in alarming rate. The main reason of depletion of ozone layer causing ozone holes
are man made pollutants like CFC, Fluorine sub-situated hydrocarbon used as coolant in refrigerators, air
conditioner, propellants in an aerosol cans, ferrous which are chlorine, etc. Some factors for depletion of ozone
layer are:
1. Excessive use of Chlorofluorocarbons(CFCs).
2. Combustion of fossil fuels and organic matter.
3. Excessive use of nitrogenous fertilizers.
4. Supersonic transports, rockets and space shuttles.
5. Nuclear tests.
Some common ferrous are:
Freon 11 CFCl3
Freon 12 CCl2F2
Freon 22 CHClF2
Freon 114 C2F4Cl2
Freon 115 CF3CF2Cl
Freon are non- corrosive and extremely stable. By conducting chain reaction one molecule of CFC can destroy
1 lakh molecules of ozone.
The chain reaction is :
CFCl3 hγ , 200nm CFCl 2 + [Cl]
UV- ray
[Cl] + O3 O2 + [ClO]
[ClO] + O O2 + [Cl]
[ClO] + NO2 ClNO3
ClNO3 + HCl HNO 3 + Cl2
Cl2 hγ , UV- ray [Cl] + [Cl] and so on.
Due to depletion of ozone layer, UV rays directly fall on earth surface. 1% decrease in ozone layer causes
2% increase in rate of cancer, i.e. skin, blood, lungs, etc.
Damage genetic materials DNA and RNA leading to mutation
Causes eye cancer in cattle.
Caused change in climate and global warming.
Reduction of crop productivity
Ozone layer can be protected by launching worldwide public awareness, by recapturing CFC release from air
conditioners, refrigerants, etc., by boycotting the use of plastic materials, by finding substitute of CFC, etc.
