Search for strategies by computer: the CONAN approach. Application to steroid and taxane frameworks

We describe the CONAN (CONnectivity ANalysis) program the aim of which is to search for strategies by simplification of the target skeleton by different types of disconnection. The options available for the disconnections of the target are: add one bond, delete one or two bonds, search for linear precursors, for convergent strategies, for precursors containing a given number of rings and linear chains, and then disconnection of rings by formal [x+y] reaction types like [2+2], [4+2], etc. Taxane and steroid skeletons have been studied. CONAN runs on PC's microcomputers.