Which of the following statements best describes the purpose of retrosynthesis in organic chemistry?

• A. Retrosynthesis is a strategy used to break down a complex target molecule into simpler precursor structures to plan a synthetic route.
• B. Retrosynthesis involves measuring the rate of a chemical reaction to determine its mechanism.
• C. Retrosynthesis is a technique for separating mixtures based on differences in boiling points.
• D. Retrosynthesis is the process of analyzing the physical properties of a molecule to determine its melting point.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that retrosynthesis is a problem-solving strategy in organic chemistry used to plan the synthesis of complex molecules.
2. Recognize that retrosynthesis involves working backward from the target molecule to simpler starting materials or precursors.
3. Note that this approach helps chemists design a stepwise synthetic route by breaking down the target into manageable pieces.
4. Distinguish retrosynthesis from other concepts such as reaction kinetics, separation techniques, or physical property analysis, which are unrelated to planning synthesis.
5. Conclude that the best description of retrosynthesis is that it is a strategy to break down a complex target molecule into simpler precursor structures to plan a synthetic route.