Chemistry of Criegee Intermediates

Abstract

Recent progress in our understanding of the chemistry and mechanisms of both gas- and liquid-phase ozonolysis from the viewpoint of the Criegee intermediates is discussed. It has been emphasized that the highly reactive dioxirane can play the important role of a Criegee intermediate. It is summarized to what extent the gas-phase ozonolysis competes with the liquid-phase phenomena. The formation of hydroxyl radicals during the ozonolysis and their influence on the stoichiometry of reactions is also discussed. Biological consequences of their chemistry are briefly mentioned.