This invention has as its object a method for releasing a product by subjecting a compound of Formula (II′): R′7R′8(HX)C1-C2(YH)R′9R′10 to a chemical oxidation that cleaves the bond C1-C2 to obtain the product. In the compound of Formula (II′): R′7 to R′10, which are identical or different, correspond to a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted functional group; X and Y, which are identical or different, are an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, or an amine of Formula —NR11R12, wherein R11 is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, and R12 is not a hydrogen atom. The invention also has as its object a method for releasing a product that comprises, before the chemical oxidation stage, a first step for preparing the compound of Formula (II′). The released product can be a volatile molecule or an active substance or else a specific product. The invention also relates to a method for detecting the released product as well as its applications, in particular for detecting catalytic or enzymatic activities.