Selective deprotection of benzyl (Bn) ethers in the presence of para -methoxybenzyl (PMB) ethers

Substituted benzyl ethers have been widely used as readily manipulatable protecting groups for organic synthesis. It is known that electron-rich para-methoxybenzyl (PMB) ethers can be selectively deprotected over benzyl or other electron-poor benzyl ethers under oxidative conditions. In this presentation, we will describe an approach for selective deprotection of benzyl ethers in the presence of PMB ethers under reductive conditions. This new method should complement the existing strategies in the utilization of substituted benzyl ethers in organic synthesis, especially in carbohydrate synthesis.