Question:

The reaction that is NOT involved in the ozone layer depletion mechanism in the stratosphere is :

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Ozone depletion proceeds through chlorine radical chain reactions (CFC photolysis, ClO + O, HOCl photolysis); the reaction of methane directly with ozone is not part of this mechanism.
Updated On: Nov 5, 2026
  • \(\mathrm{Cl\dot{O}(g) + O(g) \rightarrow \dot{C}l(g) + O_2(g)}\)
  • \(\mathrm{CF_2Cl_2(g) \xrightarrow{uv} \dot{C}l(g) + \dot{C}F_2Cl(g)}\)
  • \(\mathrm{CH_4 + 2O_3 \rightarrow 3CH_2{=}O + 3H_2O}\)
  • \(\mathrm{HOCl(g) \xrightarrow{h\nu} \dot{O}H(g) + \dot{C}l(g)}\)
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The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

Ozone depletion by CFCs in the stratosphere:
1. \(\mathrm{CF_2Cl_2 \xrightarrow{uv} \dot{C}l + \dot{C}F_2Cl}\) (option 2: photolysis of the CFC gives chlorine radicals).
2. \(\mathrm{\dot{C}l + O_3 \rightarrow Cl\dot{O} + O_2}\).
3. \(\mathrm{Cl\dot{O} + O \rightarrow \dot{C}l + O_2}\) (option 1: regenerates the chlorine radical and continues the chain).
4. Reservoirs such as HOCl are photolysed: \(\mathrm{HOCl \xrightarrow{h\nu} \dot{O}H + \dot{C}l}\) (option 4).
The reaction \(\mathrm{CH_4 + 2O_3 \rightarrow 3CH_2{=}O + 3H_2O}\) (option 3) is not a step of the stratospheric ozone-depletion mechanism.
Answer: (3) \(\mathrm{CH_4 + 2O_3 \rightarrow 3CH_2{=}O + 3H_2O}\)
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