... CHAPTER THE SCOPE OF LEWIS-ACID CATALYSIS OF DIELS- ALDER REACTIONS IN WATER 4.1 INTRODUCTION 107 4.1.1 Literature claims of Lewis-acid catalysis of Diels- Alder reactions in water 107... donating capacity) in this study underlines the importance of hydrophobic interactions in rationalising the effect of water on Diels- Alder reactions Blokzijl introduced the “enforced hydrophobic interactions”... knowledge that water was a unique medium for Diels- Alder reactions87a 1.4.1 The effect of water on the rate of Diels- Alder reactions The extreme influence water can exert on the Diels- Alder reaction