Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Alkene Reactivity
Alkenes, such as cis-hex-3-ene, are reactive due to the presence of a carbon-carbon double bond. This double bond can undergo various reactions, including addition reactions, where atoms or groups are added across the double bond. Understanding the reactivity of alkenes is crucial for predicting the products of their transformations.
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Stereochemistry
Stereochemistry refers to the spatial arrangement of atoms in molecules and how this affects their chemical behavior. In the conversion of cis-hex-3-ene to racemic hexane-3,4-diol, the stereochemistry of the starting alkene influences the stereochemical outcome of the product, leading to a mixture of enantiomers due to the formation of chiral centers.
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Hydroxylation Reactions
Hydroxylation is a chemical reaction that introduces hydroxyl (-OH) groups into a molecule. In this case, the conversion involves the addition of two hydroxyl groups to the double bond of cis-hex-3-ene, resulting in the formation of hexane-3,4-diol. This reaction can be achieved through various methods, such as syn-dihydroxylation using reagents like osmium tetroxide or potassium permanganate.
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