Accurate values for the dipole polarizability of the cyclic form of ozone h
ave been obtained from finite-field many-body perturbation theory and coupl
ed-cluster calculations. Our best effort yields near-Hartree-Fock values of
16.09 and -9.12 e(2)a(0)(2)E(h)(-1) for the mean value (<(alpha)over bar>)
and the anisotropy (Delta alpha) of the dipole polarizability. Electron co
rrelation increases <(alpha)over bar> by only a few per cent but has a stro
nger effect on Delta alpha. Our CCSD(T) values, obtained with a [9s6p5d1f]
basis set, are <(alpha)over bar> = 16.48 and Delta alpha = -6.79 e(2)a(0)(2
)E(h)(-1). Thus. the cyclic form is less polarizable than the open one whic
h is characterized by a mean polarizability of <(alpha)over bar> = 18.95 e(
2)a(0)(2)E(h)(-1) (Maroulis G 1994 J. Chem. Phys. 101 4949).