In: Chemistry
The five observation for the above Diels - alder reaction are as follows:
i) The reaction was carried out in a hood . This may be due to irritating smell of xylene and to avoid any accidental effect.
ii) The reaction was carried out at ~ 138°C. This is because the diene (anthracene) used in this case is not so active. To activate the reaction heating condition is applied .
iii) Initially solubility of anthracene was low.
iv) As time goes anthracene gets dissolved this may be due to the start of reaction .
v) After the reaction when the reaction mixture bath was cooled in a icebath, solid product was precipitated . This is because solubility of product decreases at low temperature.