Preparation of seven high-molecular-weight (C30-C4~) hydrocarbons containing two and four gern-dimethyl units interspersed in the aliphatic chain are described. Addition of mono- and difunctional Grignard reagents to ethyl isopropylidenemalonate was employed to incorporate gem-dimethyl units into key intermediates. The use of difunctional Grignard reagents in this reaction has not been previously reported. The acid ...
