Synthetic routes

Nature of science:

Scientific method—in synthetic design, the thinking process of the organic chemist is one which invokes retro-synthesis and the ability to think in a reverse-like manner. (1.3)

• The synthesis of an organic compound stems from a readily available starting material via a series of discrete steps. Functional group interconversions are the basis of such synthetic routes.
• Retro-synthesis of organic compounds.

Applications and skills:

• Deduction of multi-step synthetic routes given starting reagents and the product(s).

Guidance:

• Conversions with more than four stages will not be assessed in synthetic routes.
• Reaction types can cover any of the reactions covered in topic 10 and sub-topic 20.1.

• How important are natural products to developing countries? Explore some specific examples of natural products available in developing countries which are important to the developed world.

Theory of knowledge:

• A retro-synthetic approach is often used in the design of synthetic routes. What are the roles of imagination, intuition and reasoning in finding solutions to practical problems?

Utilization:

• Natural products are compounds isolated from natural sources and include taxol, mescaline and capsaicin.

Syllabus and cross-curricular links:
Topics 10.1 and 10.2—organic chemistry
Aims:

• Aim 6: Multiple stage organic synthetic route series of experiments (up to a maximum of four stages).