Abstract The zeolite H-Beta catalyzes the retro-Diels–Alder reaction of a range of cyclopentadiene cyclo-adducts at moderate temperatures and ambient pressure, in the presence of an active dienophile. The active catalyst was identified and optimum reaction conditions established after screening a range of zeolites in the retro-Diels–Alder reaction of the cyclopentadiene adduct of cyclopentenone. Our results suggest that retro-Diels–Alder ...