Reaction Databases and Synthesis PlanningCombined Application and Synergetic Effects

Reaction databases are recognized as very useful tools for the organic chemist, whereas computer-aided synthesis planning does not play the same role up to now. The reason for this, among others, is that synthesis is seen as a creative process, and the assistance of it by computer programs is still considered as suspect. On the other hand, it could be shown that information extracted from reaction databases can be improved and completed by using synthesis planning programs. Interesting possibilities for the development of new synthesis schemes by combined utilization of both tools will be shown by some examples.