What occurs when an alkene reacts with potassium permanganate?

When an alkene reacts with potassium permanganate, the process that occurs is oxidation. Potassium permanganate (KMnO4) is a powerful oxidizing agent, and when it interacts with alkenes under mild conditions, it typically leads to the formation of diols. This reaction is known as syn-dihydroxylation, where the two hydroxyl (−OH) groups are added to the same side of the double bond in the alkene, resulting in a compound known as a diol.

The reaction mechanism involves the alkene forming a cyclic manganate ester intermediate when KMnO4 is added. Following this, hydrolysis of the intermediate results in the production of the diol. Therefore, the formation of a diol is the expected and correct answer in this scenario. This process highlights the role of potassium permanganate in organic synthesis, specifically in transforming alkenes into more complex alcohol derivatives.