Retrosynthetic analysis is a technique used by chemists to break down a target molecule into simpler precursors that can be synthesized. In this case, the target molecule is 4-ethyl-2-methylhexane. The IUPAC name for this compound is 4-ethyl-2-methylhexane, and its structure is as follows:CH3-CH CH3 -CH2-CH CH2CH3 -CH2-CH3Step 1: Retrosynthetic analysisTo synthesize 4-ethyl-2-methylhexane, we can break it down into two simpler precursors: 2-methylpentan-1-ol and ethylmagnesium bromide Grignard reagent . The retrosynthetic disconnection is as follows:4-ethyl-2-methylhexane <-- 2-methylpentan-1-ol + ethylmagnesium bromideStep 2: Synthesis of 2-methylpentan-1-ol2-methylpentan-1-ol can be synthesized from 2-methylpentan-1-one via reduction. The reduction can be achieved using sodium borohydride NaBH4 in a suitable solvent like methanol or ethanol.2-methylpentan-1-one + NaBH4 2-methylpentan-1-olStep 3: Synthesis of ethylmagnesium bromide Grignard reagent Ethylmagnesium bromide can be synthesized from ethyl bromide and magnesium metal. The reaction is performed in an anhydrous solvent like diethyl ether or tetrahydrofuran THF .EtBr + Mg EtMgBrStep 4: Synthesis of 4-ethyl-2-methylhexaneNow that we have both precursors, we can synthesize 4-ethyl-2-methylhexane by reacting 2-methylpentan-1-ol with ethylmagnesium bromide. The reaction is performed in an anhydrous solvent like diethyl ether or THF.2-methylpentan-1-ol + EtMgBr 4-ethyl-2-methylhexane + MgBrOHIn summary, the synthesis of 4-ethyl-2-methylhexane can be achieved by first synthesizing 2-methylpentan-1-ol and ethylmagnesium bromide, and then reacting them together. This synthetic pathway involves a reduction, a Grignard reagent formation, and a Grignard reaction.