Synthesis ideal, definition

There is no rigid definition of what constitutes a suitable synthesis. The major criterion by which syntheses are judged is the potential value to the scientific community. An ideal synthesis is one which presents a new or revised experimental procedure applicable to a variety of related compounds, at least one of which is critically important in current research. However, syntheses of individual compounds that are of interest or importance are also acceptable. 

Abstract Hendrickson s definition of the ideal synthesis serves as a benchmark to assess synthesis plans. Criteria such as convergency, increase in complexity, and robustness are presented to rank synthesis plans and to pinpoint weaknesses therein. 

Given the present imperfection of one-pot syntheses [6], this definition of the ideal synthesis is utopian, at least for in vitro chemical synthesis. One has to admit, though, that the in vivo biosynthesis of natural products in a living cell by and large fulfills the criterion of a so-defined ideal synthesis. 

I would prefer a more realistic definition of the ideal synthesis, one from which guidelines for the planning of syntheses can be derived. This is the definition by Hendrickson [7] ... 

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