Abstract

This study presents results of ozonation of some different aromatic rings of medicines in aqueous solution. The aim of the research was to investigate the influence of ozone on ring cleavage of drug molecules with an aromatic structure. In this regard, phenobarbital, naphazoline, doxycycline, isoniazid and salbutamol were chosen for exposure to ozone gas overnight. It is proved that ozone can attack the OH groups, opening the aromatic ring to form unsaturated acids, aldehydes and linear alkyl/cycloalkyl groups which then appear as stable products. It is suggested that the first step in these reactions includes penetration of ozone at the C-H bond with the formation of a quinone and a subsequent attack of the aromatic ring T-bond system by the ozone with the formation of ozonides. With this process, ozonation can produce simple, biodegradable and less carcinogenic compounds from complex aromatic ones.

Key words: Ozone, aromatic compound, oxidation, toxicity.