Question

Ethyne is allowed to react with cold basic KMnO4 solution?

Answer 1

The product formed would be ethan-1,2-dioic acid(simply oxalic acid).Ethyne on reacting with cold KMnO4 adds 4OH- to the tripple bond.Forming a very unstable compound(OH)2CH-CH(OH)2.2 OH-.

Answer 2

Answer : The balance chemical reaction is shown below.

Explanation :

When ethyne is allowed to react with cold basic $KMnO_4$ solution then the triple bond present in the ethyne is oxidized by $KMnO_4$ that means, the two groups of (-OH) are adding on each carbon.

As we know that, 2 (-OH) groups present on a single carbon are highly unstable due to electronic repulsion and steric effects. So, each carbon loses one water molecule to give a Ethan-1,2-dial as a product.

The compound (Ethan-1,2-dial) compound further is an unstable. So, it undergoes further oxidation to form oxalic acid.

The balance chemical reaction is shown below.