ozone

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ozone Unstable, pale-blue, gaseous allotrope of oxygen, formula (O3). It has a characteristic pungent odour and decomposes into molecular oxygen. It is present in the atmosphere, mainly in the ozone layer. Prepared commercially by passing a high-voltage discharge through oxygen, ozone is used as an oxidizing agent in bleaching, air-conditioning and purifying water. See also allotropy

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