Chapter 24, Problem 24.54P

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The mechanism that converts A to B when the product is heated for the reaction shown in Problem $\text{24}\text{.47}$ is to be determined.

Concept introduction:

The Diels–Alder reaction is a chemical reaction between a conjugated diene and a substituted alkene commonly termed dienophile to form a substituted cyclohexane derivative.

In a normal Diels–Alder reaction, the dienophile has an electron-withdrawing group in conjugation with the alkene; in an inverse-demand scenario, the dienophile is conjugated with an electron-donating group.  Dienophiles can be chosen to contain a "masked functionality". The dienophile undergoes Diels–Alder reaction with a diene introducing such functionality onto the product molecule. A series of reactions then follows to transform the functionality into a desirable group.