Problems Set - Meeting #6

1. Theory of Diels-Alder Reactions

a. What type of compounds are needed to carry out a Diels-Alder reaction?

b. One of the features that makes the Diels-Alder useful is its stereoselectivity. Explain briefly.

2. Referring to the reaction carried out in the lab, answer the following questions.

a. How is benzyne obtained in the reaction? Show a balanced chemical equation.

b. Which function does benzyne have in the reaction?

c. The procedure suggests to carry out the reaction in 10 mL round bottom flask. Rationalize this choice.

d. Why is 1,2-dimethoxyethane used in the reaction?

e. The compound exhibits a double melting point. How can this be explained?

3. A UV-Vis spectrum is also obtained for the compound obtained in this week's experiment.

a. Why does the procedure ask to use a quartz cuvette instead of a plastic cuvette this time?

b. Which concentration is needed for the UV-Vis characterization of the TPN? How do you prepare this solution?

c. Which information should be reported in the postlab write-up from the UV-Vis spectrum?