University of L'Aquila launches Synthonpedia for organic retrosynthesis

Researchers at the University of L'Aquila have introduced Synthonpedia, an open-access platform dedicated to organic retrosynthesis. Developed by Alessandro Brusa and Simone Zanella under the coordination of Professor Armando Carlone, the project aims to provide a collaborative, free resource for the international scientific community to design complex molecular syntheses.

Unlike existing proprietary software, Synthonpedia does not require advanced computational infrastructure or supercomputers. Due to an innovative disconnection strategy, the platform can operate on a standard laptop. The system focuses on molecular connectivity, generating all possible retrosynthetic solutions without pre-filtering for feasibility, thereby acting as an idea generator for expert chemists.

The project, detailed in the journal Chemical Communications by the Royal Society of Chemistry, was supported by the University of L'Aquila through PNRR Vitality innovation ecosystem funds and PRIN SON. Future goals include establishing a long-term sustainability model similar to Wikipedia.