The structures of intermediate products of ozone degradation of different pharmaceutical compounds have been studied. Under the conditions employed, complete ozone degradation of nadolol was achieved after 100 min. The degradation products obtained in aqueous solution were characterized by electrospray ionization mass (and tandem mass) spectrometry (ESI-MS and ESI-MS/MS). The proposed mechanism for degradation, ozone attacks at the aniline amino group giving rise to nitro compounds and further degradation occurs via a series of oxidative processes. Continuous online monitoring by ESI-MS(/MS) with high accuracy mass measurements showed that ozone degradation of atenolol (ATE) and acebutolol (ACE) occurs via mechanisms similar to that of nadolol. © 2011 Sociedade Brasileira de Química.