Which of the following pairs of compounds could be used as the basis for a Diels-Alder synthesis of the compound shown below?
A)I
B)II
C)III
D)IV

Question

Which of the following pairs of compounds could be used as the basis for a Diels-Alder synthesis of the compound shown below? 
A)I 
B)II 
C)III 
D)IV

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Diels-Alder reaction involves the reaction between a diene (a compound with two conjugated double bonds) and a dienophile (a compound with a double bond that is electron-withdrawing). In the given compound, there are two double bonds, indicating that it is a diene. The dienophile must have an electron-withdrawing group such as a carbonyl group (C=O) or a nitrile group (C≡N) that can stabilize the reaction intermediate. 
Among the given options, only compound II contains a diene (the cyclopentadiene ring) and a dienophile (the maleic anhydride ring) that can react to form the desired product. Therefore, compound II is the best choice for the Diels-Alder synthesis of the given compound.

Which of the Following Pairs of Compounds Could Be Used