Page "Organic chemistry" Paragraph 10

Although early examples of organic reactions and applications were often serendipitous, the latter half of the 19th century witnessed highly systematic studies of organic compounds.

Beginning in the 20th century, progress of organic chemistry allowed the synthesis of highly complex molecules via multistep procedures.

Concurrently, polymers and enzymes were understood to be large organic molecules, and petroleum was shown to be of biological origin.

The process of finding new synthesis routes for a given compound is called total synthesis.

Total synthesis of complex natural compounds started with urea, and increased in complexity to glucose and terpineol.

In 1907, total synthesis was commercialized for the first time by Gustaf Komppa with camphor.

Pharmaceutical benefits have been substantial.

For example, cholesterol-related compounds have opened ways to synthesis complex human hormones and their modified derivatives.

Since the start of the 20th century, complexity of total syntheses has been increasing, with examples such as lysergic acid and vitamin B12.