potassium tert-butylate in benzene

1: 1.) a) CH3MgBr, b) CuBr / 1.) a) THF, 60 deg C, 45 min, b) room temp., 10 min, 2.) 60 deg C, 45 min 2: activated basic alumina / toluene / 0.42 h / -20 °C / other solvent 3: 81 percent / activated basic alumina / Ambient temperature View Scheme