Retrosynthetic analysis

This is achieved by transforming a target molecule into simpler precursor structures regardless of any potential reactivity/interaction with reagents.

Corey formalized and popularized the concept from 1967 onwards in his article General methods for the construction of complex molecules and his book The Logic of Chemical Synthesis.

Retrosynthesis is well suited for discovering different synthetic routes and comparing them in a logical and straightforward fashion.

Stereochemical transformations (such as the Claisen rearrangement and Mitsunobu reaction) can remove or transfer the desired chirality thus simplifying the target.

The application of transformations to retrosynthetic analysis can lead to powerful reductions in molecular complexity.

Unfortunately, powerful transform-based retrons are rarely present in complex molecules, and additional synthetic steps are often needed to establish their presence.