Diels-Alder reactions of styrene derivatives in high temperature water

CHED 560

Caitlin E. Bagby and Liz U. Gron, gron@hendrix.edu. Department of Chemistry, Hendrix College, 1600 Washington Ave., Conway, AR 72032
This research exploits the unusual changes in the physical properties of high temperature water (T > 100 °C and P > 200 bar) to develop a fundamental understanding of Diels–Alder reactions in aqueous solvents. This work will present reactions of 2,3-dimethyl-1,3-butadiene with substituted styrene molecules, trans-cinnamaldehyde or cinnamonitrile, at 175 °C, and ~200 bar. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to quantify the products. The goal of this project is to develop high temperature water as an effective solvent replacement technology.