Strategy simplification

Retrosynthetic analysis can often be enhanced by strategies built around tactical combinations of PG-keyed transforms which together produce molecular simplification in a coordinated (but subtle) way. The concept of tactical combinations of transforms and a few examples of such combinations have been described in Section 2.10. The use of FG-keyed tactical combinations may be illustrated by a selection of specific applications. 

A second example of this strategy is the retrosynthetic simplification of 184 via the equivalent 185 by subsequent application of the tactical combination of retroaldol and [2 + 2] photocycloaddition transforms.50 Various targets which are structurally related to 184 have also... 

These strategies guide the retrosynthetic conversion of 272 to 278 and the further conversion of 278 via 279 to 282. The r-butyl substituent actuates the clearability of the stereocenters in 279. Further retrosynthetic simplification as dictated by basic FG-, stereochemical and topological strategies then leads from 280 to 281 and to 282, a previously described substance. The successful synthesis followed closely the above outlined retrosynthetic scheme. An enantioselective process was devised for the synthesis of 281 from 282 (see Section 10.12).67, 83... 

For syntheses of carotenoids (4), where R is a large group, disconnection (a) achieves the most simplification. How would you make the phosphonium salt (5) needed for this strategy ... 

Either strategy from p T 253 will work the Darzens disconnection gives (21a) greater simplification. 

Two possible intramolecular disconnections are available for the [2.2.2] bicyclo-octane ring system (path A and path B, Scheme 1.4). The choice between the initial [4+2] disconnections A and B at first appears inconsequential leading to idealized intermediates of comparable complexity (54 and 57). However, when the [4+2] and [3+2] disconnections are considered in sequence, the difference becomes clear. For path A, retrosynthetic [3+2] disconnection of intermediate 54 leads to the conceptual precursor 56, which embodies a considerable simplification. In contrast, path B reveals a retrosynthetic [3+2] disconnection of intermediate 57 to provide the precursor 59, a considerably less simplified medium-ring bridged macrocycle. Thus, unification of the [3+2]/[4+2] dual cycloaddition strategy, using the staging... 

Our strategy was dictated by the specificity of the bond energy problem to be solved and the considerable simplification thus achieved it is just one facet of the reality. We owe the model to the work of Politzer and Parr [9]. In a nutshell ... 

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