Question

What happens when ozone is treated with ethylene?

Answer 1

When ozone (O₃) is treated with ethylene (C₂H₄), it undergoes an addition reaction known as ozonolysis, forming an ozonide, which on hydrolysis gives formaldehyde (HCHO).

Ozonolysis of Ethylene:

\[\ce{C2H4 + O2 -> Ethylene ozonide}\]

Hydrolysis of Ozonide:

\[\ce{Hydrolysis of Ozonide + H2O -> 2HCHO}\]