Flash Photolysis of Hydrogen Peroxide I: The Reaction of Ozonide with Hydrogen Peroxide

The photochemistry of basic aqueous solutions containing hydrogen peroxide and oxygen has been investigated by the flash photolysis method. The decay of O 3 − was followed at 4300 Å over the pH range 13 – 13.7 as a function of hydrogen peroxide and oxygen concentrations. The decay was found to be of the first order under all conditions −[d(O 3 ) − /dt] = k obs [O 3 − ]. The pseudo first‐order rate constant k obs was found to be dependent on H 2 O 2 and O 2 concentrations. A mechanism which is consistent with the experimental results is suggested.