Oxidation with Permanganate a Chemical Test

Alkenes react with alkaline potassium permanganate to form glycols (compounds with two adjacent hydroxyl groups). 

Glycols are compounds with two hydroxyl groups on adjacent carbons. 

As the reaction occurs, the purple color of the permanganate ion is replaced by the brown precipitate of manganese dioxide. Because of this color change, the reaction can be used as a chemical test to distinguish alkenes from alkanes, which normally do not react with potassium permanganate. 

PROBLEM 3.27 Write an equation for the reaction of 2-hexene with potassium permanganate. 

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