Ibuprofen is a widely used nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug NSAID with the chemical structure of 2- 4-isobutylphenyl propionic acid. To propose a viable pathway for its synthesis, we can use retrosynthesis to break down the target molecule into simpler precursors that can be obtained from readily available starting materials.Retrosynthetic analysis of Ibuprofen:1. Break the molecule into two parts: the 4-isobutylphenyl group and the propionic acid group. This suggests that we can form Ibuprofen via a Friedel-Crafts acylation reaction between a 4-isobutylbenzene and a propionyl chloride.2. To synthesize 4-isobutylbenzene, we can perform a Friedel-Crafts alkylation reaction between benzene and isobutyl chloride.3. To synthesize propionyl chloride, we can treat propionic acid with thionyl chloride SOCl2 .Here is the proposed synthesis pathway:Step 1: Synthesis of 4-isobutylbenzeneStarting materials: Benzene and isobutyl chlorideReaction: Friedel-Crafts alkylationConditions: AlCl3 as a catalyst, anhydrous conditions, room temperatureProduct: 4-isobutylbenzeneStep 2: Synthesis of propionyl chlorideStarting materials: Propionic acid and thionyl chloride SOCl2 Reaction: Conversion of carboxylic acid to acyl chlorideConditions: Anhydrous conditions, room temperatureProduct: Propionyl chlorideStep 3: Synthesis of IbuprofenStarting materials: 4-isobutylbenzene and propionyl chlorideReaction: Friedel-Crafts acylationConditions: AlCl3 as a catalyst, anhydrous conditions, room temperatureProduct: IbuprofenThis synthesis pathway involves three steps and uses readily available starting materials such as benzene, isobutyl chloride, propionic acid, and thionyl chloride.