Unexpected epimerization and stereochemistry revision of IMDA adducts from sorbate-related 1,3,8-nonatrienes

Intramolecular Diels-Alder (IMDA) reaction of two sorbate-related 1,3,8-nonatrienes has been investigated in MeCN at 180 °C for 1.5 h under controlled microwave heating. On checking the crude product mixture before purification, partial epimerization of the major adduct was found during the reaction. After column chromatographic purification over silica gel, only two cis adducts were obtained and their structures have been thoroughly established by X-ray crystallographic analysis. It is concluded that the putative major trans adduct predicted by the IMDA reaction mechanism undergoes facile epimerization at high temperature or in the presence of silica gel. Structural revision on the adducts has been made.