Final answer:
The iodate reaction with vitamin C targets the enediol group of the molecule, converting it to an alpha di-ketone.
Step-by-step explanation:
The reaction of vitamin C with iodate is specific to the enediol part of the vitamin named as C molecule. During the titration process, the triiodide reagent used to oxidizes the vitamin C's enediol group to an alpha di-ketone, which changes the structure of ascorbic acid. This oxidative reaction is utilized to quantify the amount of vitamin C in a sample. The specificity of the reaction allows for the accurate determination of vitamin C content by titration with an iodate solution.