Ozonolysis hydroperoxide determination

Localization of double bonds in unknown compounds has frequently been determined by ozonolysis. Unsaturated fatty acids of biological membranes are susceptible to ozone attack, but there are some important differences from autoxidation reactions. These include the fact that malonaldehyde is produced from linoleate by ozonolysis (53) but not autoxidation and also that ozonolysis does not cause double bond conjugation as judged by absorption at 233 nm (52). Reactions with the polyunsaturated fatty acids produce several possibilities for toxic reactions direct disruption of membrane integrity and toxic reactions caused by fatty acid hydroperoxides, hydrogen peroxide, and malonaldehyde. 

The hydroperoxide products of ozonolysis of a number of alkenes were determined under three sets of ozonolysis conditions 1. concentrations of 4 ppm in dry synthetic air, 2. concentrations of 140 ppm in synthetic air at 100 % relative humidity and 3. concentrations of 100 ppm in water. 

---