"The construction of a synthetic tree by working backward from the target molecule (TM) is called retrosynthetic analysis or antithesis. The symbol ⇒ signifies a reverse synthetic step and is called a transform. The main transforms are disconnections, or cleavage of C-C bonds, and functional group interconversions (FGI). Retrosynthetic analysis involves the disassembly of a TM into available starting materials by sequential disconnections and functional group interconversions. Structural changes in the retrosynthetic direction should lead to substrates that are more readily available than the TM. Synthons are fragments resulting from disconnection of carbon-carbon bonds of the TM. The actual substrates used for the forward synthesis are the synthetic equivalents (SE). Also, reagents derived from inverting the polarity (IP) of synthons may serve as SEs."