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16.5.1–16.5.3 Synthesis of Carboxylic Acids

The ozonolysis video on 16.4.6–16.4.8 also covers these reactions.

16.5.1 Ozonolysis of alkynes

The reaction of an alkyne with ozone results in the same products as the full oxidation with KMnO4 under basic, hot conditions. The carbon-carbon triple bond is cleaved and each carbon atom is fully oxidized resulting in two carboxylic acids. Again, notice that in this oxidation, three carbon-carbon bonds of the alkyne turn into three carbon-oxygen bonds of the carboxylic acid.

oxonolysis of alkyne

Further oxidation with KMnO4

16.5.2 Of alkenes

If the alkene reaction with potassium permanganate is not conducted under dilute and cold conditions but is instead run under more basic conditions and warm and concentrated conditions, further oxidation can occur. When the glycol is further oxidized, the carbon-carbon sigma bond of the glycol is broken and the single carbon-oxygen bonds of the glycol turn into carbon-oxygen double bonds (an oxidation). KMnO4 is a pretty strong oxidizer. If an aldehyde is first made by this oxidation, it is further oxidized to a carboxylic acid.

permanganate oxidation of alkene to form diol

and the further oxidation of the glycol with hot, concentrated KMnO4.

Further oxidation of glycol with hot, concentration permanganate

Overall, this reaction can be thought of as chopping the alkene in half and inserting two oxygen atoms. If the result is a ketone, nothing more happens to that carbon atom. If the result is an aldehyde, further oxidation to a carboxylic acid occurs.

the 'chop' of alkene bond to form two carbonyls with permanganate

16.5.3 Of alkynes

When KMnO4 reacts with an alkyne under more aggressive conditions, in the presence of hydroxide base and heat, the α-diketone is produced like under less aggressive neutral conditions, but it is then further, fully oxidized. The C-C bond between the two carbonyl groups is cleaved followed by further oxidation resulting in two carboxylic acids. With three C-O bonds, the carboxylic acid is fully oxidized and cannot be oxidized further.

Alkyne oxidation with KMnO4, KOH, water and heat forming an alpha-diketone through an unstable tetraol

and the further oxidation of the α-diketone with hot, concentrated KMnO4.

The further oxidation of diketone with permanganate

Overall, the cleavage can be thought of as. . .

The further oxidation with permanganate

Notice that in this oxidation, three carbon-carbon bonds of the alkyne turn into three carbon-oxygen bonds of the carboxylic acid.

4. Fill in the blank boxes.

oxidation of alkene and alkyne problem
oxidation of alkene and alkyne problem
oxidation of alkene and alkyne problem answered
oxidation of alkene and alkyne problem answered