Oxidative Cleavage of Alkenes with KMnO4

Steps:

• Hot concentrated acidified KMnO4 oxidatively cleaves the C=C bond in alkenes.
• Terminal =CH2 groups form CO2; =CHR groups form aldehydes (oxidized to carboxylic acids); =CR2 groups form ketones.
• A single organic product indicates a symmetric alkene where cleavage yields identical carbonyl compounds from both sides.
• Identify the alkene structure that matches the given product by ensuring both alkene carbons have the same substituents.

Why D is correct:

• D is 2,3-dimethylbut-2-ene ((CH3)2C=C(CH3)2), which cleaves to two molecules of acetone (CH3)2C=O, a single product.

Why the others are wrong:

• A: 2-methylbut-2-ene gives acetone and acetic acid (two products).
• B: But-2-ene gives two ethanal molecules, but the product shown doesn't match.
• C: Pent-2-ene gives ethanal and propanone (two products).

Final answer: D