Advices For Studying Organic Chemistry

4) Repeat the process until compounds that are sufficiently simple that they are

readily available in a typical laboratory.

Target molecule 1st precursor 2nd precursor Starting compound

5) The process is called retrosynthetic analysis.

i) ⇒ is a retrosynthetic arrow (retro = backward) that relates the target

molecule to its most immediate precursors. Professor E. J. Corey originated

the term retrosynthetic analysis and was the first to state its principles

formerly.

E. J. Corey (Harvard University, 1990 Chemistry Nobel Prize

winner)

2. Generate as many possible precursors when doing retrosynthetic analysis, and
   hence different synthetic routes.
   1st precursor A

1st precursor B

2stprecursors a

2st precursors b

2st precursors c

Target molecule 2st precursors d

1st precursor C

2st precursors e

2st precursors f

Figure 4.26 Retrosynthetic analysis often disclose several routes form the target
molecule back to varied precursors.

1) Evaluate all the possible advantages and disadvantages of each path ⇒

determine the most efficient route for synthesis.

2) Evaluation is based on specific restrictions and limitations of reactions in the