Applied and Computational EngineeringOpen access

Introduction to Retrosynthetic Analysis

Research Article

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Introduction to Retrosynthetic Analysis

Zhongran Zhou ^1*

¹ Xi’an university of science of technology

^*Corresponding author: 2452972329@qq.com

Published on 19 November 2025

Volume Cover

ACE Vol.208

ISSN (Print): 2755-273X

ISSN (Online): 2755-2721

ISBN (Print): 978-1-80590-547-9

ISBN (Online): 978-1-80590-548-6

Abstract

As a key strategy of organic chemical synthesis design, retrosynthetic analysis can effectively guide and optimize the synthesis process of complex molecules through reverse thinking and step by step assembly.In this paper, the basic concept of retrosynthetic analysis. The basic steps of retrosynthetic analysis are described in detail. Finally, this paper looks forward to its potential and prospect in the future organic chemical synthesis.

Keywords:

retrosynthetic analysis, Organic synthesis, Synthesis strategy

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References

[1]. Corey, E. J. Retrosynthetic analysis: A powerful strategy for organic synthesis design [J]. Accounts of Chemical Research, 1989, 22(5): 455 - 461.

[2]. Smith, J. D. Strategies for Bond Disconnection in Organic Synthesis [M]. Springer, 2015.

[3]. Zhang Min, Guo Chun. Design Strategies of Organic Synthesis Based on Synthons [J]. Chinese Journal of Organic Chemistry, 2018, 38(12): 3191 - 3200.

[4]. Brown, A. L. Synthetic Equivalents: Selection and Application [J]. Journal of Organic Chemistry, 2017, 82(10): 5012 - 5021.

[5]. Li Hua, Wang Qiang, Zhao Gang. Research Progress on the Interconversion of Functional Groups in Organic Synthesis [J]. Progress in Chemistry, 2020, 32(3): 456 - 468.

[6]. Liu Mei, Sun Hao, Chen Jie. Application of Functional Group Addition in the Total Synthesis of Complex Natural Products [J]. Chemical Journal of Chinese Universities, 2019, 40(10): 1985 - 1992.

[7]. Wang Xia, Zhou Yong, Li Ming. Optimization of Organic Synthesis Strategies Based on the Diels - Alder Reaction [J]. Chemical Research and Application, 2021, 33(8): 1456 - 1462.

[8]. Williams, P. J. Retrosynthetic Analysis: Applications and Future Directions in Interdisciplinary Fields [J]. Advanced Synthesis & Catalysis, 2022, 364(1): 1 - 15.

References

[1]. Corey, E. J. Retrosynthetic analysis: A powerful strategy for organic synthesis design [J]. Accounts of Chemical Research, 1989, 22(5): 455 - 461.

[2]. Smith, J. D. Strategies for Bond Disconnection in Organic Synthesis [M]. Springer, 2015.

[3]. Zhang Min, Guo Chun. Design Strategies of Organic Synthesis Based on Synthons [J]. Chinese Journal of Organic Chemistry, 2018, 38(12): 3191 - 3200.

[4]. Brown, A. L. Synthetic Equivalents: Selection and Application [J]. Journal of Organic Chemistry, 2017, 82(10): 5012 - 5021.

[5]. Li Hua, Wang Qiang, Zhao Gang. Research Progress on the Interconversion of Functional Groups in Organic Synthesis [J]. Progress in Chemistry, 2020, 32(3): 456 - 468.

[6]. Liu Mei, Sun Hao, Chen Jie. Application of Functional Group Addition in the Total Synthesis of Complex Natural Products [J]. Chemical Journal of Chinese Universities, 2019, 40(10): 1985 - 1992.

[7]. Wang Xia, Zhou Yong, Li Ming. Optimization of Organic Synthesis Strategies Based on the Diels - Alder Reaction [J]. Chemical Research and Application, 2021, 33(8): 1456 - 1462.

[8]. Williams, P. J. Retrosynthetic Analysis: Applications and Future Directions in Interdisciplinary Fields [J]. Advanced Synthesis & Catalysis, 2022, 364(1): 1 - 15.

Cite this article

Zhou,Z. (2025). Introduction to Retrosynthetic Analysis. Applied and Computational Engineering,208,40-47.

Data availability

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study will be available from the authors upon reasonable request.

About volume

Volume title: Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Materials Chemistry and Environmental Engineering

ISBN: 978-1-80590-547-9(Print) / 978-1-80590-548-6(Online)

Editor: Ömer Burak İSTANBULLU

Conference website: https://2025.confmcee.org/

Conference date: 12 January 2026

Series: Applied and Computational Engineering

Volume number: Vol.208

ISSN: 2755-2721(Print) / 2755-273X(Online)

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