Stereoselectivity ratios in a simple Diels-Alder reaction in aqueous salt solutions of alcohols

This is the first exhaustive report on the variation of stereoselectivity ratios for a simple Diels-Alder reaction between cyclopentadiene and methyl acrylate. The reaction was carried out in aqueous mixtures of methanol, ethanol, propan-1-ol and butan-1-ol in presence of LiClO₄, LiCl, NaCl, KCl, CaCl₂ and MgCl₂. The endo stereoisomer decreases with the increase in carbon chain length of the alcohol. However, LiClO₄, a salting-in agent in water becomes salting-out in aqueous mixtures of alcohols. The solvent properties, thus can be attuned by adjusting the amount of solvents and salts.