Ozone, an allotropic form of oxygen, possesses unique properties which are being
defined and applied to biological systems as well as to clinical practice. As a
molecule containing a large excess of energy, ozone, through incompletely
understood mechanisms, manifests bactericidal, virucidal,
and fungicidal actions which may make it a treatment of choice in certain
conditions and an adjunct to treatment in others. (Photo: Gerard V. Sunnen, M.D.)
The oxygen atom exists in nature in several forms: (1) As
a free atomic particle (0), it is highly reactive and unstable. (2) Oxygen
(02), its most common and stable form, is colorless as a gas and pale blue as a
liquid. (3) Ozone (03), has a molecular weight of 48, a density one and a half
times that of oxygen, and contains a large excess of energy in its molecule (03
-> 3/2 02 + 143KJ/mole). It has a bond anngle of 127 ± 3, resonates among
several forms, is distinctly blue as a gas, and dark blue as a solid. (4) 04 is
a very unstable, rare, nonmagnetic pale blue gas, which readily breaks down
into two molecules of oxygen.
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