[FrankenNeko]

I need to start with this molecule and work backwards to the starting material that is commercially available.  http://www.sigmaaldrich.com/united-states.html This website tells you if it is a commercially available material.  I'm really stuck on this retrosynthesis, any help is greatly appreciated!

[Dan]

Post your ideas so far. Also, please read the Forum Rules.

[FrankenNeko]

I'm thinking the starting material will have those two benzenes already attached, mainly because I feel it would be really complicated attaching them.  I was thinking the starting material was (2-benzyl-3-phenylpropyl)benzene.  I think there's 5 disconnections.  I could be wrong...

[Dan]

I'm thinking the starting material will have those two benzenes already attached, mainly because I feel it would be really complicated attaching them.

And what are you basing this feeling on? What reactions do you know that form a C-C bond adjacent to a carbonyl?

I was thinking the starting material was (2-benzyl-3-phenylpropyl)benzene.  I think there's 5 disconnections.  I could be wrong...

Show you work. What are these 5 disconnections you propose? You need to show a a reasonable attempt at the question in which you explain your logic. This is forum policy for you and us. We are not supposed to just tell you answers before you try yourself. We can steer you in the right direction, but you need to get the ball rolling.

[orgopete]

This looks like a class on malonate-acetoacetate chemistry. Is it?