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Here's a precise problem for a chemistry student to solve in Organic Synthesis and Retrosynthesis:Develop a retrosynthesis approach to synthesize 2-methyl-1-phenylpropan-1-ol, starting from benzene, propene, and any other necessary reagents, explaining each step in the backward reaction sequence.

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To develop a retrosynthesis approach for the synthesis of 2-methyl-1-phenylpropan-1-ol, we will work backward from the target molecule to the starting materials, benzene and propene, identifying the necessary reagents and reactions at each step.Target molecule: 2-methyl-1-phenylpropan-1-olStep 1: Disconnect the C-C bond between the phenyl group and the 2-methylpropan-1-ol moiety. This suggests that we can form the target molecule through a nucleophilic addition reaction between a suitable carbonyl compound and a phenyl anion.Retrosynthetic precursors: Ph-  phenyl anion  + 2-methylpropanalStep 2: To generate the phenyl anion, we can use a Grignard reagent, phenylmagnesium bromide  PhMgBr , which can be prepared from benzene through bromination and subsequent treatment with magnesium.Starting materials: Benzene + Br2  bromine  -> bromobenzeneBromobenzene + Mg  magnesium  -> PhMgBr  phenylmagnesium bromide Step 3: To synthesize 2-methylpropanal, we can perform hydroformylation of propene, which involves the addition of CO  carbon monoxide  and H2  hydrogen  across the C=C double bond in the presence of a suitable catalyst, such as a rhodium complex.Starting materials: Propene + CO + H2 -> 2-methylpropanalNow, we can put the steps together in the forward direction to outline the synthesis of 2-methyl-1-phenylpropan-1-ol:1. Bromination of benzene: Benzene + Br2 -> bromobenzene2. Formation of Grignard reagent: Bromobenzene + Mg -> PhMgBr3. Hydroformylation of propene: Propene + CO + H2 -> 2-methylpropanal  in the presence of a rhodium catalyst 4. Nucleophilic addition: PhMgBr + 2-methylpropanal -> 2-methyl-1-phenylpropan-1-olThis synthesis plan provides a retrosynthetic approach to synthesize 2-methyl-1-phenylpropan-1-ol from benzene, propene, and other necessary reagents, with a clear explanation of each step in the backward reaction sequence.

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