I started a PhD in organic chemistry late last october, and feel like i've literally nothing to show for it. I'm basically trying to make a new ligand for catalysis, its new but not groundbreaking stuff, but pretty interesting. The synthetic route i was going down has been done for similar compounds, but i've hit a brick wall at each stage, problems with protecting groups, very poor yields, so much so that i've had to scrap the synthesis and design a new one. I've literally just started it this week, and while i'm optimistic that it'll work, i'm 4 months in with nothing to show except "I tried to make this compound, and failed pretty badly." I'm feeling a lot of pressure as I think i'm a pretty diligent worker and want nothing more than to make some darn progress!

My supervisor has gotten me to sign up for a 4 month industrial placement over the summer in a process dev lab, which should be really helpful in regards to practical skills, but with only 3 months to go until that starts, and with the progression board meeting meant to be 12-15 months after starting, I'm terrified that i'm going to fail it horribly because i've made no progress! Has anyone been in a similar situation? :-(