Detritylation Procedure under Non-Acidic Conditions: Naphthalene Catalysed­ Reductive Cleavage of Trityl Ethers

Abstract

The reaction of primary, secondary, allylic and benzylic trityl ethers 1 with lithium powder and a catalytic amount of naphthalene led to reductive cleavage of the trityl-oxygen bond, affording the corresponding alcohols 2 in good to excellent yields under very mild reaction conditions. The detritylation process could successfully be extended to several hydroxy, alkoxy and amino functionalised trityl ethers. This methodology represents a new and efficient detritylation procedure under non-acidic reaction conditions.

Key words

trityl ether - lithium - lithiation - detritylation - reductive cleavage

References

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