Strategy forward-branching search

In addition to search direction it is necessary to determine the order of enumeration of the synthesis tree. Depth, breadth and hybrid search procedures are all possible. For most current programs the evaluation is so uncertain that human interaction with the program during execution is necessary and undoubtedly more fruitful. 

Most current programs have been aimed at laboratory syntheses. The detail and data required for industrial paths is not commonly in these programs. Many of these programs start with raw material molecules dilch are the targets of industrial chemists. We are intrigued by the possibility of applying these ideas to smaller molecules. 

To our knowledge, only two applications of these techniques have been made to industrial reaction problems. The Chioda Chemical Engineering and Construction Company in Tokyo, Japan has used a program called CHEMONICS in which known specific reactions numbering approximately 100 are stored. The thermochemical properties, and in some cases kinetic parameters, are known for these reactions. The reactions are mixed and matched by the user with the program performing the analysis of the reaction network. 

In the following sections we describe a prototype program, REACT, which is currently being, tested on a number of industrial problems. 

REACT -- A reaction path synthesis program for the petrochemical industry. 

---