Abstract
This paper overviews the design and current status of the MECHEM
system of programs, which automates partially the elucidation of
chemical reaction pathways of up to moderate complexity. The system
addresses most aspects of pathway elucidation, with special attention
to the formation of initial hypotheses. No chemical databases are
used; the sources of power instead are first, novel algorithms for
reasoning about pathways, and second, experimental data on the
reaction to be studied. The performance of the system is illustrated
on data from the liquid-phase oxidation of propane. Some by-products
of the system design have been several contribution to chemistry
knowledge.