Divergent synthesis

In chemistry a divergent synthesis is a strategy with the aim to improve the efficiency of chemical synthesis. It is often an alternative to convergent synthesis or linear synthesis.

In one strategy divergent synthesis aims to generate a library of chemical compounds by first reacting a molecule with a set of reactants. The next generation of compounds is generated by further reactions with each compound in generation 1. This methodology quickly diverges to large numbers of new compounds


 * A generates A1, A2, A3, A4, A5 in generation 1
 * A1 generates A11, A12, A13 in generation 2 and so on.

An entire library of new chemical compounds for instance sugars can be screened for desirable properties. In another strategy divergent synthesis starts from a molecule as a central core from which successive generations of building blocks are added. A good example is the divergent synthesis of dendrimers for example where in each generation new monomer reacts to the growing surface of the sphere.

Diversity oriented synthesis or (DOS) is a strategy for quick access to molecule libraries with an emphasis on skeletal diversity. In one such application a Petasis reaction product (1) is functionalized with propargyl bromide leading to a starting compound (2) having 5 functional groups. This molecule can be subjected to whole set of reagents each reaction yielding a unique sketelon already in generation one.