Diels Alder - Why HOMO and LUMO?

  • Thread starter Thread starter CrimpJiggler
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    homo
AI Thread Summary
In Diels-Alder reactions, the interaction occurs between the Highest Occupied Molecular Orbital (HOMO) of the diene and the Lowest Unoccupied Molecular Orbital (LUMO) of the dienophile. This is crucial because the diene donates electrons from its HOMO, while the dienophile accepts them through its LUMO. The breaking of the bond in the dienophile during the reaction necessitates that its LUMO is populated with electrons, allowing for the formation of new bonds. If the HOMO were to depopulate instead, it would result in no electrons remaining on the dienophile, preventing the formation of the desired cycloadduct. Understanding this electron donation and acceptance mechanism is essential for predicting the outcomes of cycloadditions.
CrimpJiggler
Messages
141
Reaction score
1
In diels alder reactions, why does the reaction always occur between the HOMO of the diene, and the LUMO of the dienophile? Well, what I'm really trying to figure out is how to determine which reactant donates the electrons, and which reactant receives them in cycloadditions.
 
Chemistry news on Phys.org
In the course of the reaction, the bond in the dienophile is broken, so it's LUMO has somehow to be populated. The other possibility, depopulation of the HOMO, would not leave electrons at all on the dienophile to form the new bonds.
 
I want to test a humidity sensor with one or more saturated salt solutions. The table salt that I have on hand contains one of two anticaking agents, calcium silicate or sodium aluminosilicate. Will the presence of either of these additives (or iodine for that matter) significantly affect the equilibrium humidity? I searched and all the how-to-do-it guides did not address this question. One research paper I found reported that at 1.5% w/w calcium silicate increased the deliquescent point by...
Back
Top