The design and synthesis of drugs lie at the heart of modern medicinal chemistry, bridging the disciplines of organic chemistry, pharmacology, biochemistry, and material science. Over the decades, advances in synthetic strategies, analytical techniques, and molecular-level understanding of biological systems have transformed drug discovery from a trial-and-error process into a rational, mechanism-driven science.
 
This book, Drug Synthesis, aims to provide a comprehensive introduction to the fundamental principles and practical approaches used in the creation of therapeutic molecules. Beginning with the basic concepts of functional groups, reaction mechanisms, and structure–activity relationships (SAR), the text guides the reader through classical and modern methods of drug construction. Emphasis is placed on how synthetic transformations are selected, optimized, and integrated to yield molecules with the desired biological activity and physicochemical properties.
 
Readers will explore the synthesis of major drug classes—including analgesics, antibiotics, antivirals, anticancer agents, and CNS-active compounds—each discussed through representative molecules that illustrate key synthetic pathways. Topics such as retrosynthetic analysis, chiral drug synthesis, green chemistry approaches, catalytic methods, and the integration of computational tools are covered to build a strong foundational understanding.