Diels-Alder reaction orbital symmetry analysis

Orbital Interaction Analysis. An orbital interaction diagram for the Diels-Alder reaction is shown in Figure 12.5a. The geometry of approach of the two reagents which ensures a maximum favorable interaction between the frontier MOs (dashed lines) preserves a plane of symmetry at all separations. The MOs are labeled according to whether they are symmetric (S) or antisymmetric (A) with respect to reflection in the plane. Simultaneous overlap of both HOMO-LUMO pairs is a necessary feature of all peri-... 

The photochemical dimerization of unsaturated hydrocarbons such as olefins and aromatics, cycloaddition reactions including the addition of 02 ( A ) to form endoperoxides and photochemical Diels-Alders reaction can be rationalized by the Woodward-Hoffman Rule. The rule is based on the principle that the symmetry of the reactants must be conserved in the products. From the analysis of the orbital and state symmetries of the initial and final state, a state correlation diagram can be set up which immediately helps to make predictions regarding the feasibility of the reaction. If a reaction is not allowed by the rule for the conservation of symmetry, it may not occur even if thermodynamically allowed. 

A third reason for the interest in the 2+2, in particular, is that it allows for a logical analysis of orbital symmetry arguments. Few photochemical reactions are as predictable as the Diels-Alder reaction, but the 2+2 photocycloaddition is a good starting point for comparison. 

Diels-Alder reaction, 382, 392—393 of benzyne, 931-932 orbital symmetry analysis of, 388—390 Dienes. See also Alkadienes... 

Extended Hiickel Theory has been used to calculate an approximate energy surface for the [1,3] sigmatropic rearrangement connecting (171) to (172). The calculated relative ease of the various reaction paths is correlated with both the experimental data and the predictions of orbital symmetry theory. A non-coplanar transition state in the Diels-Alder reaction of cyclopentadiene with maleic anhydride, or with other five-membered cyclic dienophiles of C2 symmetry, is suggested by the relationship between the primary and secondary overlap integrals in the Salem-type analysis of the reaction path. ... 

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