Pericyclic Reactions: Mechanisms and Tools

This lecture delves into the intricacies of pericyclic reactions, focusing on reaction mechanisms, kinetic and thermodynamic controls, and the Bell-Evans-Polanyi Principle. It explores the correlation diagrams for cycloadditions, Woodward-Hoffmann Rules, and the importance of orbital symmetry. The instructor discusses the tools used to determine reaction mechanisms, such as kinetic studies and kinetic isotope effects, providing insights into the detailed paths followed by reactants to products.