6.8.1

Organic Synthesis (A2 Only)

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Introduction to Synthesis

For organic synthesis, chemists must map out a route of reactions that will lead to the desired product and start from the starting materials.

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Organic synthesis

  • If we want to synthesize a molecule, we must find reaction routes that will allow us to convert starting materials into the desired product.
  • After finding possible synthesis routes, we must make sure the route is the best it can be by considering:
    • Effect on the environment.
    • Type of solvent used.
    • Percentage yield.
    • Percentage atom economy.
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Steps in synthesis

  • Each synthetic route is made up of a series of reaction steps.
  • Each reaction step typically involves:
    • Carrying out the reaction.
    • Separating the desired product.
    • Purifying the desired product.
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Importance

  • Creating synthetic routes is incredibly important in science.
  • It helps us design and produce medicines.
    • It also helps us reduce the waste and the hazards whilst producing such chemicals.

Improve synthesis

There are many ways to improve a synthetic pathway. This involves maximising the desired products and minimising the side products.

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Performance of a synthesis

  • The percentage return is the percentage ratio of the actual yield obtained to the calculated theoretical yield.
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Maximize percentages

  • We can optimise the percentage yield and the atom economy by:
    • Selecting reactions without byproducts.
    • Selecting synthetic routes with fewer steps.

Jump to other topics

1Physical Chemistry

2Physical Chemistry 2 (A2 Only)

3Inorganic Chemistry

4Inorganic Chemistry 2 (A2 Only)

5Organic Chemistry 1

6Organic Chemistry 2 (A2 Only)

6.1Optical Isomerism (A2 Only)

6.2Aldehydes & Ketones (A2 Only)

6.3Carboxylic Acids & Esters (A2 Only)

6.4Aromatic Chemistry (A2 Only)

6.5Amines (A2 Only)

6.6Polymers (A2 Only)

6.7Biological Organic (A2 Only)

6.8Organic Synthesis (A2 Only)

6.9NMR Spectroscopy (A2 Only)

6.10Chromatography (A2 Only)

6.11A-A* (AO3/4) - Organic 2

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