Describe Retrosynthesis in organic chemistry.
Important Questions on Organic Chemistry (AHL)
Deduce a multi-step synthesis for each of the following conversions. For each step state the structural formulae of the reactants and products and the conditions used for the reactions.
benzene to aniline (phenylamine) (3 steps)
Deduce a multi-step synthesis for each of the following conversion. For each step state the structural formulae of the reactants and products and the conditions used for the reactions.
2-chlorobutane to butan-2-one (2 steps)
Synthetic organic chemists often use a method referred to as retro-synthesis. Starting with knowledge of the structure and properties of the target compound, they think “in reverse” to determine possible synthetic pathways to produce it. Imagination, intuition, and reasoning all play their part in scientific innovation. Imagination transcends the limitations of acquired knowledge and opens up the possibility of new ideas.
What are the roles of these ways of thinking in solving synthetic pathway problems? Is retro synthesis a combination of understanding and imagination?
