Organic Chem: Diels-Alder w/ Anthracene & Maleic Anhydride

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The Diels-Alder reaction between anthracene and maleic anhydride is preferred in xylenes over ethanol due to the potential for side reactions in alcohols. When maleic anhydride is mixed with alcohols like ethanol, it can lead to the formation of esters, such as ethyl acetate, which are undesired byproducts. In contrast, xylenes are stable solvents that do not react under the conditions of the Diels-Alder reaction, making them suitable for this process. Other effective solvents mentioned include toluene, hexanes, pentane, petroleum ether, and methylene chloride, which also minimize side reactions.
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In the Diels-Alder reaction between anthracene and maleic anhydride, why is it carried out in xylenes rather than in ethanol?
 
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I am not an organiker, so I can be wrong - but what happens when you mix acetic anhdyrides with alcohols?

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The maleic anhydride reacts with alcohol to give athyl acetate??
 
Why acetate?

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methods
 
yep, you've got the right idea. you'd get side reactions with the maleic acid and ethanol to form esters.

xylenes on the other hand, are virtually useless and won't react except under extreme conditions with things like acid chlorides and alkyl chlorides in friedel-crafts reactions. other good solvents would most likely be toluene, hexanes, pentane, petroleum ether, and methylene chloride
 

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