SynStrategy
Start from the functional group you want to make.
SynStrategy categorizes 500+ named and unnamed reactions by the functional group they form. Look up reactions, check out 400+ total synthesis examples, save custom datasets, complete quizzes, or study with flashcards. Free to download, with no ads!
Grouped by what you want to synthesize.
The app is built around 27 functional groups: alcohols, carbonyls, amines, nitriles and more. Each main functional group is further split into subtypes worth distinguishing.
Alcohols alone branch into primary, secondary, tertiary, allylic, homoallylic, propargylic, benzylic and aryl alcohols, diols, and β-amino alcohols.
Open a subtype and you see the reactions, named and unnamed, that get you there: e.g. Grignard addition, Fleming-Tamao oxidation, Luche reduction, Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation, or Brown hydroboration.
It's the same reasoning you use at the whiteboard or during problem sets: identify the target, then brainstorm how to get there.
A reference library and a study tool in one.
Functional group categorization
Browse through 27 functional groups, its subtypes, and explore the transformations that form it. Both named and unnamed reactions can be found.
Named and unnamed reactions
You can also browse reactions the traditional way. Named and unnamed reactions each have their own alphabetical list, so you can go straight to what you want to look up.
Reaction overviews
Explore generalized schemes with reagents and conditions, with relevant bonds highlighted. For specific applications, and to check e.g. the functional group tolerance of a reaction, explore the total synthesis examples.
400+ total synthesis examples
Many transformations are shown in the context of natural product total syntheses, with reaction conditions and yield for that step. Literature citations are provided to check out further details.
Custom datasets
Save transformations into your own collections as you browse. Export them to share with a study group, or import a colleague's; ideal for exam preparation or a specific course. Pre-installed datasets are included, so you can start right away.
Quiz and flashcards
- A quiz system and traditional flashcards, each available in three formats.
- Identify a reaction from a general reaction overview or a total synthesis step.
- Two difficulty modes: multiple choice, or advanced mode where you type in the answer yourself.
- Study your own material by running quizzes and flashcards over any dataset you've built.
- Track your progress with session analytics that show where to focus next.
Behind SynStrategy.
SynStrategy is designed, built, and maintained by Willi M. Amberg. Born in Germany in 1997, he earned his bachelor's degree at Heidelberg University (2018) and his master's at ETH Zurich (2020).
For his PhD studies he joined the group of Prof. Erick M. Carreira at ETH Zurich where he accomplished the first total synthesis of (+)-aberrarone. He subsequently investigated new catalytic systems in the context of photoredox catalysis. His work resulted in novel transformations including the cyclopropanation of unactivated olefins, a photo- and cobalt-catalyzed synthesis of heterocycles, the anti-Markovnikov hydroazidation of unactivated olefins, and mechanistic insights into lead halide perovskite quantum dots as photoredox catalysts. In 2024 Willi graduated from ETH Zurich and joined the group of Prof. John F. Hartwig at UC Berkeley as an SNSF postdoctoral fellow to gain expertise in organometallic chemistry and mechanistic studies.
Questions & help.
Do you need help, have you spotted an error, or do you want a reaction added? Email us at serviceofsynthesis@gmail.com.
Who is SynStrategy for?
Students learning organic chemistry and practitioners working in synthesis. Undergraduates can explore classic transformations, while more advanced chemists can look into specialized reactions and the total synthesis examples, of which more will be added over time.
Can I suggest a reaction or total synthesis example to add?
Yes, of course! The content of the app will grow over time and we are happy to check out your suggestions. Just email serviceofsynthesis@gmail.com with the reaction or synthesis you'd like to see added.
How do the quizzes and flashcards work?
The content of a quiz or flashcard session is determined by the dataset you select. There are pre-installed datasets (e.g. each functional group has its own), but you can also create your own to be tested on, or import datasets from colleagues or lectures. The quiz and flashcard modes have three formats: (1) identify the reaction overview, (2) identify the named reaction, and (3) identify the reaction in a total synthesis. In the quiz mode, some formats can also be played as multiple choice or as an advanced type-the-name mode. In both quizzes and flashcards you can save, resume, and review a finished session.
Where is my study data stored?
Your custom datasets and quiz and flashcard sessions are kept on your device. You choose when to export or import a dataset. See the privacy policy for details.
How do I get support?
Email serviceofsynthesis@gmail.com. Include your device and app version if you're reporting a problem, and we'll get back to you.
Get SynStrategy.
Free on iOS and Android, with no ads.