Question #880a8

1 Answer
Jan 3, 2015

Under alkaline conditions manganate(VII) will oxidise unsaturated hydrocarbons such as alkenes to a diol.

I'll use ethene as an example

The first step is that purple Mn(VII) are reduced to green Mn(VI) ions:

CH2=CH2+2MnO4+2OHHOCH2CH2OH+2MnO24

Ethane - 1,2 - diol is formed and green MnO24.

The reaction then continues to give dark brown solid manganese(IV) oxide:

3CH2CH2+2MnO24+4H2O3(HOCH2CH2OH)+2MnO2+2OH