Introducing Complex NMR Mixtures at the Undergraduate Level: Analysis of the Diels-Alder Reaction Between Methylcyclopentadiene and Maleic Anhydride (Part I)

Analysis of a simple NMR spectrum is fairly easy and straight forward for undergraduate students but analyzing a fairly complex NMR can be very daunting and requires a methodical approach. This work uses the ubiquitous Diels-Alder reaction of methylcyclopentadiene and maleic anhydride to introduce students to an NMR spectrum that consist of inseparable mixtures of isomers and their analysis using advanced NMR spectroscopic techniques. This laboratory experiment further outlines the use of derivatization techniques for the separation of isomeric mixtures by preparing diastereomers and using NMR spectroscopy for their identification.