Question

What is the expected major product/products arising from the reaction of methylpropene with dilute potassium permanganate?

Answer 1

The major product is 2-methylpropane-1,2-diol.

Explanation:

Aqueous potassium permanganate oxidizes alkenes to 1,2-diols.

`underbrace("3H"_2"C=CH"_2)_color(red)("an alkene") + "2MnO"_4^"-" + "4H"_2"O" → underbrace("3HO-CH"_2"-CH"_2"-OH")_color(red)("a 1,2-diol") + underbrace("2MnO"_2)_color(red)("dark brown ppt") + "2OH"^"-"`

If the starting material is methylpropene, the major organic product is 2-methylpropane-1,2-diol.