I understand that the endo product is, at least in all cases in my textbook, the major product in a Diels-Alder reaction. However, I don't understand why this is the case.
The explanation in my textbook says that the endo product allows for more interaction between the diene and dienophile during the transition state.
I also found the following post, which suggests that secondary orbital interactions are the cause. Stereochemistry of product in Diels-Alder reactionStereochemistry of product in Diels-Alder reaction
Then I found the following paper that indicates, at least to my understanding, that steric strain during the transition state is the main reason behind the endo rule (or at least for the example reaction in the article). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24449044
So, I'm left wondering what is the reason for the endo rule?