ABSTRACT
This chapter will present a truncated version of the so-called disconnection approach to synthesis. The idea used here is to examine the molecule to be synthesized (the target) for bonds that are close to a functional group. Mentally breaking those bonds (a disconnection) will lead to fragments that are correlated with real molecules. This information allows one to correlate knowledge of chemical reactions associated with various functional groups with the disconnection fragments in order to make the bond that was disconnected. Working backward from the target to recognizable starting materials outlines the synthesis. In principle, following the reverse process and supplying reagents will give a synthesis. To accomplish a retrosynthesis-synthesis, all reactions must be considered from both directions. An example is an alcohol. An alcohol is oxidized to a ketone or aldehyde, but an aldehyde or ketone is reduced to an alcohol. Both reactions must be known.
