Starting with cyclohexanone, how could you prepare the diketone below?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The diketone shown in the image is 2,5-dimethylhexane-2,5-dione. This compound can be prepared via the following steps:
1. Convert cyclohexanone into the α-bromoketone with bromine and acidic conditions.
2. React the α-bromoketone with the enolate of cyclohexanone (prepared with a strong base like LDA), which will undergo a Claisen condensation to form the corresponding β-diketone.
3. Treat the β-diketone with methylmagnesium bromide (prepared from Grignard reaction of methyl bromide and magnesium metal in the presence of anhydrous ether) to yield 2,5-dimethylhexane-2,5-dione.

Starting with Cyclohexanone, How Could You Prepare the Diketone Below α\alphaα

Starting with Cyclohexanone, How Could You Prepare the Diketone Below $\alpha$