🥼organic chemistry review

Diels–Alder cycloaddition reaction

Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025

Definition

The Diels–Alder cycloaddition reaction is a chemical process in organic chemistry where a conjugated diene reacts with a substituted alkene (dienophile) to form a six-membered ring. This reaction occurs through a single, concerted step without the formation of intermediates.