Example 2 — Retrosynthesis with aromatic substitution
The eureka moment arrived when Emma realized that the sequence of reactions corresponded to a specific set of answers. The group quickly filled in the blanks, and the synthesis problems yielded their secrets. Chemsheets Organic Synthesis Problems Answers
Step 1: Ethanol → Ethanal (oxidation, distil) Step 2: Ethanal + CH₃MgBr (Grignard from bromomethane + Mg in dry ether) → after acid work-up, gives propan-2-ol (but that’s not target). Correct: Need to make 2-methylbutan-2-ol: (CH₃)₃C–CH(OH)–CH₃? Wait, structure: (CH₃)₂C(OH)CH₂CH₃. From ethanol: Example 2 — Retrosynthesis with aromatic substitution The
