Ozonolysis is an example of oxidative cleavage —an oxidation reaction that cleaves the reactant into pieces.
Mechanism for ozonide formation
Ozonide formation
The molozonide is unstable because it has two O-O bonds; it immediately rearranges to a more stable ozonide.
Ozonide decomposes
Ozonide is highly explosive and is usually decomposed using dimethyl sulfide. Dimethyl sulfide attacks ozonide and turns itself into DMSO.
Ozonolysis of alkenes
Ozonide also reacts with oxidants such as H2O2 to form carboxylic acids.
On the other hand, a strong reducing agent such as NaBH4 will turn it into an alcohol.
