Retrosynthesis is a method of chemical synthesis which involves “deconstructing” a target molecule into its readily available, simple starting materials in order to assess the best synthetic route. This is achieved by breaking the bonds of the target molecular structure into constituent fragments, known as synthons, and by conversion of functional groups into others, known as functional group interconversions. The concept of retrosynthesis was framed and formalized by Elias James Corey, for which he won the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 1990. Prior to this method becoming the standard practice, there was no formalized approach to organic chemical synthesis, and many methods involved significant trial and error with available simple molecules. By beginning with the target molecule, retrosynthesis allows chemists to work “in reverse”, by breaking up the complex target structure to arrive at the simple precursors. Often, there will be more than one possible synthetic route and retrosynthesis helps in discovering these routes and comparing them in terms of the cost, simplicity and feasibility of using different reagents and intermediates. In doing so, the most favourable, efficient route can be chosen before synthesis is started on an industrial scale. Source: www.iqvia.com
Question 1:- Which of the following is ALWAYS true about retrosynthesis?
A. It helps in reducing the cost of synthesizing a complex organic molecule
B. Synthons are readily available chemicals which can help in retrosynthesis
C. Intermediate compounds are formulated during retrosynthesis
D. Retrosynthesis helps in finding out the unique precursor that helps in building a complex organic molecule.
Answers
Answer:
Intermediate compound are formulated during retrossynthesis
The following is ALWAYS true about retrosynthesis - C. Intermediate compounds are formulated during retrosynthesis
During retrosynthesis, the target molecular structure is broken down. As one functional group is converted to another, intermediate compounds are formulated during this process.
A. It helps in reducing the cost of synthesizing a complex organic molecule
Retrosynthesis aims at reducing the cost, but it is not always necessary that this may happen.
B. Synthons are readily available chemicals which can help in retrosynthesis.
Synthons are fragments obtained after the breakdown of the bonds of the target molecular structure. These synthons are obtained by functional group interconversions in which functional groups are converted into another functional group. Thus, synthons are not always readily available chemicals.
D. Retrosynthesis helps in finding out the unique precursor that helps in building a complex organic molecule.
Retrosynthesis helps in finding out the precursors by breaking the complex target structures. Thus, this may not always be true.