in benzene byproducts: methyl acetate; under N2, soln. of EtZnOMe and CH3COOC(t-Bu)CH2 in C6H6 slowly heated to 60°C for 1 h; volatiles (methyl acetate, Et2Zn) removed, residue dissolved in pentane, cooled to -30°C;

(i) benzene, (ii) (hydrolysis); Multistep reaction;