Mechanism of Ozonolysis

The formation of ozonides (1,2,4-trioxolanes) from alkenes and ozone can be described as a succession of three [2+3] cycloadditions or cycloreversions involving primary ozonides (1,2,3-trioxolanes) and aldehyde or ketone oxides as decisive intermediates, all of which have finite lifetimes. There is no warranted experimental basis for assuming an alternative mechanism.