Oxidative Cleavage of Alkynes

Alkynes, like alkenes, can be cleaved by powerful oxidizing agents, although the reaction is often less synthetically valuable due to the lower reactivity of the triple bond. The products formed depend on whether the alkyne is internal or terminal.

Internal Alkynes

Internal alkynes, when subjected to oxidative cleavage with reagents like ozone (O₃) or potassium permanganate (KMnO₄), are broken down into two carboxylic acids.

Terminal Alkynes

Terminal alkynes, on the other hand, produce a carboxylic acid and carbon dioxide (CO₂) upon similar oxidative treatment.

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