The direction of ozone cleavage of selected unsymmetrical olefins RlR2C=CR3R4 to give (a) RlR2C0 + R3R4CCOO-and (b) RIR,CCOO-+ R3R4C0 has been measured, with particular emphasis on the mode of participation of alkyl substituents in distributing the reaction paths a and b. The interpretation, in terms of substituent effects in stabilizing potential zwitterionic carbo-cations in the transition states corresponding to paths a and b, considers (i) the "hyperconjugative stabilization" of positive sites, where the stabilizing abilities of the substituents are in the order CH, > C2H5 > i-C3H7 > tert-C4H9, and (ii) the participation of inductive effects. The latter appear to be particularly important when the substituents on the two C atoms of the primary ozonide act in the same direction in favoring its electrocyclic cleavage. In the ozonolysis of monosubstituted ethylenes the inductive effects are predominant, i.e. the R-C+HOO-formation is favored by the R groups in the order tert-C4H9 > i-C3H7 > C2H: > .CH3, whereas in trans-and cis-l,2-disubstituted ethylenes "hyperconjugation" governs the dlrectlon of cleavage. The cleavage of selected 1,l-disubstituted, tri-, and tetrasubstituted ethylenes is also studied.