Chapter 11, Problem 40P

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The equations for the reaction of the two stereoisomers of cinnamic acid giving different products on reaction with $\text{1,3-butadiene}$ are to be written.

Concept Introduction:

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Diels-Alder reaction is a concerted cycloaddition of an alkene, called a dienophile, to a (conjugated) diene.

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The stereochemistry of the dienophile is preserved in the reaction. A cis-disubstituted dienophile gives a product with both substituents on the same side of the ring, while a trans isomer gives a product with the two substituents on the opposite sides of the ring.