Answer:
Step 1) hydrolysis using NaOH/H2O to form benzylalcohol
Step2) oxidation to Carboxylic acid using KMnO4 followed by decarboxylation to form benzene
3) friedel craft acylation using CH3COCl/AlCl3
Step-by-step explanation:
The above 3 steps will yield acetophenone from methylbenzoate