Glycol cleavage

After cleavage of the glycol, the ketone and aldehyde fragments can be inspected and the location of the former hydroxyl groups ascertained.

[2] Iodine-based reagents such as periodic acid (HIO4) and (diacetoxyiodo)benzene (PhI(OAc)2) are commonly used.

[4] These I- and Pb-based methods are called the Malaprade reaction and Criegee oxidation, respectively.

Warm concentrated potassium permanganate (KMnO4) will react with an alkene to form a glycol.

Controlling the temperature, concentration of the reagent and the pH of the solution can keep the reaction from continuing past the formation of the glycol.