Question

We conducted a diels-Alder reaction of cyclopentadiene with Maleic Anhydride experiment. Though I was wondering why we added ligroin to the maleic anhydride and ethyl acetate. I know ligroin can be used as a solvent, but I thought that ethyl acetate was the solvent in this experiment. I am a bit confused, would you please explain?

Answer 1

The addition of Ligrion seems to decrease the polarity of the reaction mixture, which probably can produce products that are not desired if the solvent in the reaction mixture is to polar; this may have something to do with the electron withdrawing groups on Maleic Anhydride. However, I am not sure.

Answer 2

But, it is also possible that if the reaction mixture is too polar, it will interact with Maleic acetate preventing the reaction from happening.