What type of products do alkenes yield when reacting with cold, dilute potassium manganate solution?

When alkenes react with cold, dilute potassium manganate (KMnO4) solution, the primary outcome is the formation of alcohols or diols due to an oxidation reaction. Potassium manganate acts as an oxidizing agent, which means that it can add oxygen across the double bond of the alkene. In this process, a syn-addition occurs, resulting in the formation of vicinal diols, also known as glycols. This reaction is characterized by the addition of hydroxyl groups (–OH) to the carbon atoms involved in the double bond, effectively oxidizing the alkene and enhancing the compound's functional group profile.

The fact that alkenes are oxidized to form alcohols rather than undergoing reduction or forming alkanes emphasizes the nature of this reaction. Additionally, the conditions specified (cold and dilute) further support this type of transformation rather than leading to other products such as halogenoalkanes or complete reduction products. Overall, the reaction with potassium manganate is a well-known method for the oxidative cleavage of alkenes, leading specifically to the formation of alcohols or diols.