[Starch]

Hey guys!
In my organic class teacher asked us to do a synthesis mechanism of an individual compound for everyone. I got 1,2-dimethylcyclopentane. I tried to synthesis it, but I got stuck 😞  I don't know if I synthesised cyclopentane right and how to add methyl groups. Can you help me?

[wildfyr]

Do you really need to start from the base elements?

[Starch]

Yes, it was said that it is a must and that makes everything more difficult..

[sjb]

What reactions have you covered? - Potential routes include going via e.g. 2,6-heptadione, for instance

[Babcock_Hall]

The second-to-last step looks dubious.

[wildfyr]

You need to tell us what your "toolbox" of reactions is. We can suggest nearly infinite pathways, but we would almost certainly choose some reactions neither you nor your professor are familiar with. For one thing, radically chlorinating hydrocarbons over and over is incredibly impractical.

[kriggy]

Also, the synthesis doesnt have to be linear. You can make lets say methyl chloride from pure carbon via CO2 and  methane and then react it with already known compounds fo get your product. Its much easier this way