The following diene does not undergo Diels Alder reaction because _____.
A) it does not have an electron donating group
B) it does not have an electron withdrawing group
C) the bicyclic ring does not function as a diene
D) it cannot adopt the s-cis conformation
E) the double bonds are not in the same cyclic ring

Question

The following diene does not undergo Diels Alder reaction because _____. 
A) it does not have an electron donating group 
B) it does not have an electron withdrawing group 
C) the bicyclic ring does not function as a diene 
D) it cannot adopt the s-cis conformation 
E) the double bonds are not in the same cyclic ring

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In order for the diene to undergo Diels Alder reaction, it needs to be able to adopt the s-cis conformation, where the two double bonds are on the same plane. However, in this diene, the bicyclic ring system prevents the two double bonds from being in the same plane, hence it cannot adopt the s-cis conformation and cannot undergo the Diels Alder reaction.

The Following Diene Does Not Undergo Diels Alder Reaction Because