Organic Chem- Mechanism Question(Oxidation of Glycol)

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on the detailed mechanism of glycol oxidation by periodic acid, which cleaves the C-C bond to form two carbonyl groups. An intermediate cyclic periodate is formed, and the oxidation state of iodine is preserved during this process. The participant struggles with the initial step of the mechanism, considering the conversion of an -OH group into H2O to initiate a nucleophilic substitution reaction. There is a realization that the oxygens from the glycol could be involved in the cyclic periodate, shifting focus from the alcohols on the glycol to those on the periodic acid. The conversation emphasizes the importance of electron density interactions and the behavior of intermediates in the mechanism.
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Homework Statement


Write a detailed mechanism for the following reaction:
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The Attempt at a Solution



Okay, I know this is PART of the mechanism for the oxidation of a glycol by periodic acid which causes cleavage of the C-C bond between the glycol and forms 2 carbonyl groups. The thing is the cyclic periodate that is formed is only an intermediate , and I need to figure out a mechanism for that 1 Step. I have tried thinking about turning one of the -OH groups on the glycol into H2O to start a SN reaction, but it doesn't seem to work out. What I think I do know is that the oxidation state of the iodine atom is preserved in the cyclic periodate and that the periodic acid is the molecule that wants electrons. Other than that, I don't have a clue about how the mechanism works to form the cyclic periodate.
 

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If you were to label the oxygens (O-18) of the glycol, would the intermediate contain both? If so, the H2O produced comes from periodic acid. From there, the mechanism is fairly straightforward... attach things that have electron density to things that don't. Intermediates that are positively charged and contain a proton, likely lose the proton to the solvent. The solvated protons can reprotonate elsewhere on the intermediate.
 
Thanks for the tip !, haven't thought about the oxygens from the glycol being the one on the cyclic periodate, was so obsessed with trying to turn one of the alcohols on the glycol into a leaving group and not the alcohol on the periodic acid.
 
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