Question

Why does ${\mathrm{O}}_3$ act as a powerful oxidizing agent?

Answer 1

Ozone:

• Under normal conditions, ozone is a stable molecule.
• When ozone gets decomposed on heating, then an oxygen molecule and nascent oxygen are obtained.
• Decomposition reaction of ozone is given as: $\underset{\mathrm{Ozone}}{{\mathrm{O}}_3}\to \underset{\mathrm{Oxygen}}{{\mathrm{O}}_2}+\underset{\mathrm{Nascent}\mathrm{oxygen}}{\left[\mathrm{O}\right]}$

Oxidizing agent:

• Oxidizing agents are those compounds that can oxidize other compounds by giving oxygen atoms to the other compound.
• Here, the oxygen atom formed is very much reactive and can combine with the other compound very fast. Hence, ozone is very much reactive.