Basic conceptual framework to further learn and understand

1. Organic Synthesis and
Retro-synthesis:
Fundamentals
Essential Concepts for Success
By:Ali Hamza
Organic Chemistry 8TH Semester

2. Introduction
•Definition of Organic Synthesis: The art of building
organic molecules from simpler starting materials.
•Importance: Essential for drug discovery, materials
science, and understanding biological processes.
•Objective: To understand the principles of retrosynthesis
and apply them to design synthetic routes.

3. Key Terminology
•Organic molecule: Carbon-based compounds containing
hydrogen and other elements.
•Functional group: A specific arrangement of atoms
responsible for the characteristic chemical reactions of a
compound.
•Retrosynthesis: The process of breaking down a target
molecule into simpler precursor molecules.

4. Functional Group Analysis
•Overview of common functional groups: Alkanes,
alkenes, alkynes, alcohols, ethers, aldehydes, ketones,
carboxylic acids, esters, amines, amides.
•Importance of functional groups in synthesis planning.

5. Retrosynthetic Analysis
•Definition: Breaking down a target molecule into simpler,
readily available starting materials.
•Disconnection: Identifying bonds to be made and bonds
to be broken.
•Retrosynthetic arrow: Representing disconnections in a
synthetic pathway.

6. Strategic Bond Disconnections
•Introduction to common disconnection strategies:
Functional group interconversions, carbon-carbon bond
cleavage, carbon-heteroatom bond formation.
•Example reactions for each strategy.

7. Synthetic Equivalents
•Definition: Functional groups or molecules that can be
interconverted through a specific reaction.
•Importance of choosing appropriate synthetic equivalents
for efficient synthesis.
Synthesis Planning
•Putting it all together: Applying retrosynthetic analysis to
plan synthetic routes.
•Importance of step economy, yield, and feasibility.
Stereochemistry in Synthesis
•Overview of stereochemistry: Chirality, enantiomers,
diastereomers.
•Importance of stereochemical control in synthesis.

8. Conclusion
•Recap of key points: Functional groups, retrosynthesis,
synthesis planning, strategic disconnections, synthetic
equivalents, stereochemistry.
•Importance of mastering these fundamentals for success
in organic synthesis.
•Encouragement for further exploration and practice.