Final answer:
The structure of the unknown alkene with the formula C₇H₁₂ can be determined by finding a potential alkene that, when oxidized with hot KMnO₄, would yield a carboxylic acid. One possible structure is 2-heptene.
Step-by-step explanation:
The unknown alkene with the formula C₇H₁₂ yields only one product on oxidation with hot KMnO₄. Based on the information given, the unknown alkene will produce a carboxylic acid as the only product. The structure of the unknown alkene can be determined by finding a potential alkene with a carbon-carbon double bond that, when oxidized, would yield a carboxylic acid.
One such example is 2-heptene (CH₃CH₂CH=CHCH₂CH₂CH₃), which contains a carbon-carbon double bond in the seventh position. When 2-heptene reacts with KMnO₄, only one product, heptanoic acid, will be formed. Therefore, the structure of the unknown alkene could be 2-heptene.