What configurations are found in the product(s)of the reaction below?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The given reaction is a Diels-Alder reaction between a diene and a dienophile. The diene has two chiral centers (marked as 1 and 2 in the image), and each center can have either R or S configuration. Similarly, the dienophile also has two chiral centers. The product will have four stereoisomers, which are determined by the relative orientation of the substituents on the chiral centers. The reaction is stereospecific, meaning that only one stereoisomer of the product is formed.

In the given reaction, the diene has two R configurations, and the dienophile also has two R configurations. The product will have one R,R configuration and one S,S configuration. Therefore, the answer is D, an equal mixture of 1R,2R, and 1S,2S.

What Configurations Are Found in the Product(s)of the Reaction Below