New organic compounds are made by process of synthesis, in which more complex molecules are made from simpler starting molecules. Combinatorial chemistry is used to combine smaller molecules to produce one complex molecule.
When planning a synthesis, the target molecule must be identified. By looking at the functional groups it contains, chemists then work backwards using a sequence of logical reactions to produce suitable starting materials. This process is known as retrosynthesis.
The exact reagents required are identified when chemists disconnect the target molecules on paper to produce synthons, which are idealised fragments or ions. Each synthon has a synthetic equivalent which are the actual, existing compounds used to produce the target molecule.
There are several routes in an organic synthesis, and the most preferred is usually the fastest route. However in industrial processes this may not always be the case as other factors must be taken into consideration for example disposal of waste and health and safety concerns.
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