Retrosynthetic analysis is a technique used to plan organic syntheses by working backwards from the target molecule. It involves mentally deconstructing the target molecule through sequential disconnections and functional group transformations until commercially available starting materials are reached. Each disconnection produces synthons, which are idealized fragments that represent possible reaction precursors. Common types of disconnections include C-X, C-C, and carbonyl bonds. The goal of retrosynthesis is to simplify the target structure and design multiple possible synthesis routes leading from simple starting materials to the target. It helps chemists discover efficient syntheses by considering the reactivity, selectivity, and availability of materials at each step.
Related topics: