SynopsisThe role of hindered piperidine (HALS) photostabilizers for the photostabilization of polypropylene films against oxidative reactions caused by ozone and oxidative species formed during photolysis of ozone under UV irradiation (i.e., atomic oxygen and singlet oxygen) has been investigated and discussed. It has been found that ozonization and/or photoozonization of 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-piperidine (I) and piperidinoxy radical (2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidino-l-oxy) (11) gives a high yield (91-988) 2,6-dimethyl-2-hydroxy-6-nitro-heptane. Ozonization and/or photoozonization of HAIS probably occur by a similar mechanism as reported for (I) and (11). HALS photostabilizer reacts with ozone and/or photolysis products of ozone (atomic oxygen and/or singlet oxygen) and loses its function in the photostabilization process. For that reason protection of polypropylene against photooxidative degradation and photoozonization is of great commercial importance.