<P>Tetra butyl ammonium fluoride (TBAF) has been used widely
as a reagent for the efficient cleavage of various silyl protecting
groups from O-silylated nucleosides
[
1]
[
2]
and pyrophosphates,
[
3]
as well as N-silyl,
[
4]
and S- silyl derivatives.
[
5]
These reactions are carried out
under very mild conditions in excellent yields.</P><P>
Preparation: Aqueous HF is passed through
an amberlite IRA 410 OH column, followed by an aqueous solution
of tetra-butylammonium bromide. After the resin is washed with H
2O,
the combined H
2O fractions are repeatedly evaporated
until no water is present. TBAF is collected as an oil in quantitative
yield.</P>