Dicyclopentadiene was cracked by distillation to form cyclopentadiene. This is because cyclopentadiene is very reactive, so it can react with itself at room temperature in a Diels-alder reaction and reforms dicyclopentadiene (reversible reaction). is this right?
It is correct.
Yes, you are partially correct. Dicyclopentadiene can be cracked by distillation to form cyclopentadiene. Cyclopentadiene is indeed very reactive, so it can undergo a Diels-Alder reaction with itself at room temperature. However, the formation of dicyclopentadiene is not a reversible reaction in this context.
In the cracking process, dicyclopentadiene is subjected to high temperatures, typically ranging from 200 to 300 degrees Celsius, and the pressure is reduced. This thermal cracking causes the molecule to break apart, resulting in the formation of cyclopentadiene. This cracking reaction is irreversible.
Cyclopentadiene is highly reactive due to the presence of its conjugated double bonds. It readily undergoes the Diels-Alder reaction, which is a cycloaddition reaction with another reactant called a dienophile. This reaction is typically performed at room temperature or slightly elevated temperatures.
So, to recap, distillation is used to crack dicyclopentadiene into cyclopentadiene, and cyclopentadiene can react with itself in a Diels-Alder reaction due to its high reactivity. However, the formation of dicyclopentadiene from cyclopentadiene is not a reversible reaction in this context.