Final answer:
The decomposition of ozone in the presence of catalytic chlorine atoms results in the formation of diatomic oxygen (O2) and regeneration of Cl atoms, with ClO as an intermediate. These reactions contribute to the overall process of ozone depletion in the stratosphere.
Step-by-step explanation:
The overall result of the decomposition of ozone in the given mechanism is the formation of O2 (diatomic oxygen) and Cl atoms. The mechanism shows that chlorine atoms act as catalysts, and the decomposition proceeds through a cycle where a chlorine atom reacts with an ozone molecule (O3) to form ClO and O2. In the second step, ClO reacts with an oxygen atom to regenerate the Cl atom and form additional O2.
The net effect of this cycle is the conversion of ozone into oxygen molecules, while the Cl atom is regenerated and can participate in further reactions. Nitric oxide (NO) is another catalyst that can facilitate the decomposition of ozone via a similar mechanism.
These reactions are significant in the context of the Chemistry of Ozone Depletion, where substances such as CFCs release chlorine atoms into the stratosphere, leading to the catalytic destruction of ozone and an increase in harmful UV radiation at Earth's surface.