Reaction workup planning: A structured flowchart approach, exemplified in difficult aqueous workup of hydrophilic products

Reaction workup can be a complex problem for those facing novel synthesis of difficult compounds for the first time. Workup problem solving by systematic thinking should be inculcated as mid-graduate-level is reached. A structured approach is proposed, building decision tree flowcharts to analyze challenges, and an exemplar flowchart is presented for aqueous workup of awkwardly hydrophilic products. Its use is illustrated with real synthetic compounds and model examples.