The title compound proves to be an effective and efficient catalyst for the Diels-Alder reaction when the dienophile is an α, β-unsaturated ketone or aldehyde. It is especially effective in water. Equal amounts of any such dienophile and any of six representative dienes (isoprene, 2-methyl-1, 3-pentadiene, 2, 3-dimethyl-1, 3-butadiene, cyclopentadiene, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5-pentamethylcyclopentadiene, and 1, 3-cyclohexadiene) were used, along with 1% ...
