🥼organic chemistry review

Diels–Alder 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 reaction is a chemical reaction between a conjugated diene and a substituted alkene, known as the dienophile, to form a cyclic compound. This reaction is stereospecific and produces a six-membered ring through a concerted mechanism without the formation of intermediates.

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