These can be synthesized by the Prevost or Sharpless reaction, in which an alkene is reacted with osmium tetroxide.
Iodine and silver benzoate act on an alkene to produce one of these compounds in a reaction utilizing neighboring group participation. Microreactors can be used to generate these after saponification of an epoxide, and they are formed as side products of starch hydrocracking. NMO is used in a bishydroxylation that produces these compounds from alkenes to regenerate a heavy metal oxide catalyst. Hydration of formaldehyde and other oxidized carbonyl compounds can produce these,  and the most common one is used as a component of antifreeze. That compound, ethylene glycol, can be produced via heating a mixture of water and ethylene oxide.  These can be synthesized by the Prevost or Sharpless reaction, in which an alkene is reacted with osmium tetroxide. For 10 points, name these compounds containing two hydroxyl groups.
Iodine and silver benzoate act on an alkene to produce one of these compounds in a reaction utilizing neighboring group participation.
diols