Total synthesis

Total synthesis is the complete chemical synthesis of a complex molecule, often a natural product, from simple, commercially available precursors. It usually refers to a process not involving the aid of biological processes, which distinguishes it from semisynthesis. The target molecules can be natural products, medicinally important active ingredients, or organic compounds of theoretical interest. Often the aim is to discover new route of synthesis for a target molecule for which there already exist known routes. Sometimes no route exists and the chemist wishes to find a viable route for the first time. One important purpose of total synthesis is the discovery of new chemical reactions and new chemical reagents.

History

The discovery by Friedrich Wöhler in 1828 that an organic substance, urea, can be produced from inorganic starting materials was an important conceptual milestone in chemistry as it showed for the first time that a substance previously known only as a byproduct of life could be synthesized in the laboratory.