Question

The following equilibrium is driven to the right if the reaction is carried out in the presence of maleic anhydride (see Problem 106). What is the function of maleic anhydride?

Short answer

In this we see that Maleic anhydride reacts with cyclopentadiene. the function of Maleic anhydride in this reaction is to remove cyclopentadiene, since removal of a product drives the equilibrium toward products.

Step-by-step solution

Diels-Alder reaction:

The cyclo addition reaction of diene with a dienophile yields a cyclo hexene.

Final answer

In this we see that Maleic anhydride reacts with cyclopentadiene. the function of Maleic anhydride in this reaction is to remove cyclopentadiene, since removal of a product drives the equilibrium toward products.