Ozonolysis of Alkynes

Ozonolytic cleavage of alkynes yields carboxylic acids; terminal alkynes also produce CO₂.

• Internal alkynes:
  $$\mathrm{R{-}C}\equiv\mathrm{C{-}R'}\xrightarrow{\mathrm{O}_3,\,\mathrm{H}_2\mathrm{O}} \mathrm{RCOOH} + \mathrm{R'COOH}$$
• Terminal alkynes:
  $$\mathrm{R{-}C}\equiv\mathrm{CH}\xrightarrow{\mathrm{O}_3,\,\mathrm{H}_2\mathrm{O}} \mathrm{RCOOH} + \mathrm{CO}_2$$