Enjoying the Art of Synthesis

Abstract Weaknesses and strong points of a synthesis (plan) become apparent by comparing several syntheses of the same target. Such a comparison highlights surprising solutions—the art of synthesis—in contrast to standard approaches. 

The planning of syntheses is in the middle of a transformation from an art into a technique. When confronted with targets of unusual structure, surprising solutions are still called for. This means that at any time creative and artistic synthesis schemes have to be put forward, when the systematic (scholastic) approach fails or turns out to be too lengthy. 

To this end, there follows a compilation of syntheses, each of which has some remarkable feature. The reader is encouraged to rediscover familiar elements and to examine in depth the way the synthesis was conceived. As the guide in an art museum helps the visitor to appreciate the features of the 

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Lepadiformine nevertheless continues to be a target of synthetic endeavours [41, 42, 43, 44]. Perhaps the study of the syntheses presented here will encourage the reader to come up with shorter or more efficient proposals for this and other compounds. Their presentation was intended to give the reader the chance of enjoying the art of synthesis. 

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