A scheme of dibutyl sulfide (DBS) oxidation with ozone and generation of transitional products was determined in this study. The main identified intermediate product was dibutyl sulfoxide (DBSO), and the main end product of DBS oxidation was dibutyl sulfone (DBSO2). It was determined that for three temperatures: 0, 10 and 20 degrees C there was certain initial DBS concentration for which half-times observed in experimental conditions were equal and independent from temperature. Generation of phosgene and water as by-products was confirmed for the reaction of DBS with ozone in chloroform. Results of the described study allowed to present generalized mechanism of sulfide oxidation with ozone. (c) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.