- The Diels-Alder reaction is a [4+2] cycloaddition reaction between a conjugated diene and a dienophile.
- It is a pericyclic reaction that results in the formation of a six-membered ring.
- The reaction occurs via a concerted mechanism without intermediates, making it stereospecific.
- This reaction does not involve elimination, nucleophilic addition, or electrophilic substitution mechanisms.
- It is widely used in organic synthesis for constructing complex cyclic structures with high stereoselectivity.
- Therefore, Diels-Alder is classified as a cycloaddition reaction.