Triple-Bond Cleavage in Alkynes

Alkynes can be broken apart by oxidative cleavage. This reaction uses strong oxidizing reagents such as potassium permanganate and ozone. It cuts the triple bond, which has one sigma bond and two pi bonds, and turns the alkyne into carboxylic acids.

With warm, basic aqueous potassium permanganate...

The triple bond of an alkyne can be cleaved completely by using oxidizing reagents, like potassium permanganate or ozone, to yield carboxylic acids.

Alkynes yield carboxylate salts in the presence of warm and basic aqueous potassium permanganate. The salts form via the oxidative cleavage of the alkyne through an unstable α-diketone interm...