Chapter 17, Problem 49P

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The starting materials that lead to the formation of the given products are to be deduced.

Concept introduction:

The starting material used in a reaction can be predicted by retrosynthetic analysis.

Retrosynthetic analysis is the reverse process of organic synthesis and used for solving various organic problems.

This is achieved by transforming a target molecule into simpler precursor structures without assumptions regarding starting materials. Each precursor material is examined using the same method. This procedure is repeated until simple or commercially available structures are reached.

E.J. Corey formalized this concept in his book The Logic of Chemical Synthesis.