Retrosynthesis of 1,5-Dicarbonyl Compounds

A typical retrosynthesis of a 1,5-dicarbonyl compound involves making a disconnection from one of the alpha carbons between the two carbonyls. The alpha carbon will be introduced as a nucleophilic enolate the other carbon needs to be electrophilic. Since the electrophilic carbon is beta to a carbonyl, the starting material is derived by installing a double bond between the alpha and beta carbons to make an a,P-unsaturated carbonyl. 

P-elimination, so they do not make good starting materials. 

Leaving Groups in the Beta Position Are Easily Ehminated 

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