Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 24, 2025

Microwave-assisted Intramolecular Dehydrogenative Diels-Alder Reactions for the Synthesis of Functionalized Naphthalenes/Solvatochromic Dyes
Published on: April 1, 2013
Molecular design principles towards exo-exclusive Diels-Alder reactions
1Department of Chemistry, National Taiwan Normal University Taipei 11677 Taiwan eliseytli@ntnu.edu.tw.
Abstract:
The exo selective Diels-Alder reactions, reported as special cases, usually involve catalytic reaction conditions and specific cyclic structural motifs on the diene and/or the dienophile. Here we report a systematic computational investigation on the substituent effect for simple, linear dienes and dienophiles towards exo control in Diels-Alder reactions under thermal conditions. Through detailed characterization of reaction pathways for Diels-Alder cycloadditions between linear dienes and dienophiles with various substituents, we summarize a set of design principles aiming for an optimal and nearly-exclusive exo selectivity. These results shall lead to valuable guidelines and more versatile strategies in organic synthesis that are in accordance with the principles of green chemistry.
Related Concept Videos
[4+2] Cycloaddition of Conjugated Dienes: Diels–Alder Reaction
Diels–Alder Reaction Forming Cyclic Products: Stereochemistry
Diels–Alder Reaction: Characteristics of Dienes
Characteristics of the diene
Conformation
The simplest example of a diene is 1,3-butadiene, an acyclic conjugated π system. At room temperature, the molecule exists as a mixture of s-cis and s-trans conformers by virtue of rotation around the carbon–carbon single bond. Although the s-trans isomer is...
Diels–Alder Reaction Forming Bridged Bicyclic Products: Stereochemistry
Diels–Alder Reaction: Characteristics of Dienophiles
Characteristics of Dienophiles
Generally, the best dienophiles are alkenes containing electron-withdrawing substituents such as carbonyl, nitrile, and nitro groups. The feasibility of a Diels–Alder reaction depends...
Diels–Alder vs Retro-Diels–Alder Reaction: Thermodynamic Factors

