JEE Main 2023 — Environmental Chemistry Question with Solution

The radical that mainly causes ozone depletion in the presence of UV radiation is $\dot{\mathrm{Cl}}$. The chloro radical reacts with ozone molecules to form chlorine monoxide and oxygen:

$$\dot{\mathrm{Cl}}+{\mathrm{O}}_3\to \mathrm{ClO}+{\mathrm{O}}_2$$

This reaction depletes the ozone layer, as the chlorine monoxide can then go on to react with another ozone molecule:

$$\mathrm{ClO}+{\mathrm{O}}_3\to \mathrm{Cl}+{2O}_2$$

Thus, $\dot{\mathrm{Cl}}$, is the correct answer.