Standard Lemma guide

retrosynthesis

noun · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

The prediction of precursors (intermediates and reactants), given the products of a synthesis reaction.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

Topics: chemistry, natural-sciences, organic-chemistry, physical-sciences

Examples

  • 1983, Francis A. Carey, Richard J. Sundberg, Advanced Organic Chemistry: Reactions and synthesis, Plenum Press, page 578, The retrosyntheses shown in Scheme 11.11 correspond to the syntheses in Schemes 11.12 and 11.13.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From retro- + synthesis.

Across languages

Translations

6 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • German: Retrosynthese — prediction of precursors in a synthesis reaction
  • Italian: retrosintesi — prediction of precursors in a synthesis reaction
  • Italian: analisi retrosintetica — prediction of precursors in a synthesis reaction
  • Polish: retrosynteza — prediction of precursors in a synthesis reaction
  • Spanish: retrosintesi — prediction of precursors in a synthesis reaction
  • Spanish: análisis retrosintético — prediction of precursors in a synthesis reaction