Divergent synthesis

In one strategy divergent synthesis aims to generate a library of chemical compounds by first reacting a molecule with a set of reactants.

This methodology quickly diverges to large numbers of new compounds An entire library of new chemical compounds, for instance saccharides, can be screened for desirable properties.

In another strategy divergent synthesis starts from a molecule as a central core from which successive generations of building blocks are added.

A good example is the divergent synthesis of dendrimers, for example, where in each generation a new monomer reacts to the growing surface of the sphere.

[2] This molecule can be subjected to a range of reagents yielding unique molecular skeletons in one generation.