3.3.14 Organic Synthesis

• When choosing the best paths way, Chemists need to try to find:

  • Processes which do not require a solvent - solvents can be expensive, difficult to dispose of and often cannot be re-used after a reaction has taken place
  • Processes which use non-hazardous starting materials - so that the reactions are safer to operate and avoid having to dispose of any unreacted starting materials
  • Processes which consist of as few steps as possible - this means they are usually faster and more efficient
  • Processes which have a high atom economy - in order to avoid waste products