Is the hydroxyl radical formed in the gas‐phase ozonolysis of alkenes?

Abstract

The hypothesis that OH radicals are generated in the ozonolysis of alkenes was tested by measuring the relative conversion of a pair of alkanes added to selected alkene‐O 3 systems. The results were compared with OH‐initiated relative removal (via H 2 O 2 photolysis) and with the expected relative rates based on literature data. We find that the removal of alkanes is not consistent with their reaction with OH. These results suggest that there is no compelling experimental data in support of OH formation in the ozonolysis of alkenes.