Book excerpt: Synthesis is one of the distinguishing features of chemistry as a science. It is the synthetic chemist who uses their intimate understanding of molecular structure and properties to produce materials of great value to society. Thus, it is important for students of chemistry to study synthesis and acquire a working knowledge that enables them to address the following question: given a specific molecular target, how does one formulate a plan for its synthesis? This synthesis primer provides students who have taken introductory organic chemistry with a set of tools that can be used to plan a synthesis. It may be used in conjunction with a synthetic methods course, or it can stand alone. Features: Provides students who have taken introductory organic chemistry with a set of tools that can be used to plan a synthesis Serves to help organic chemists at all levels to better understand published syntheses Focuses on natural products, their complexity, and diverse structures which challenge and inspire the chemists preparing them Succinct, readable treatment of important concepts and applications geared towards advanced undergraduates and graduate students Each synthesis covered begins with a brief discussion of the target molecule and challenges they present, followed by retrosynthetic considerations