Semisynthesis

Semisynthesis or partial chemical synthesis is a type of chemical synthesis that uses chemical compounds isolated from natural sources (such as microbial cell cultures or plant material) as the starting materials to produce other novel compounds with distinct chemical and medicinal properties.

Overview

Semisynthesis is a method of synthesizing useful compounds by partial chemical modification of precursor compounds obtained from living organisms. This method is used when the precursor compound is too structurally complex, too costly, or too difficult to produce by total synthesis.

Process

The process of semisynthesis begins with the isolation of a raw material from a natural source. This raw material is then chemically modified to create the desired compound. The modifications can include the addition, removal, or transformation of functional groups, as well as changes to the compound's overall structure.

Applications

Semisynthesis is used in various fields, including pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and agriculture. It is particularly useful in the production of drugs, as it allows for the creation of compounds that are more effective, safer, or cheaper than those produced by total synthesis.

Examples

One of the most famous examples of semisynthesis is the production of aspirin, which involves the acetylation of salicylic acid, a compound isolated from the bark of willow trees. Another example is the production of paclitaxel, a cancer drug. Paclitaxel is derived from a compound found in the bark of the Pacific yew tree, but the compound is modified in the lab to improve its effectiveness and reduce its side effects.

See also

• Total synthesis
• Natural product
• Drug discovery
• Medicinal chemistry

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