Chemistry

Problem

Ozone in the stratosphere can be depleted by chlorine species via the following two-step mechanism. Step 1 Cl

^-

+ O

_3

→ ClO + O

_2

Step 2 ClO + O → Cl

^-

+ O

_2

Nitrogen gas is present as an inert diluent. Which species functions as the catalyst in this mechanism? a)

\mathrm{ClO}

\mathrm{O_3}

\mathrm{Cl^-}

\mathrm{O_2}