Chemoselective hydrolysis of terminal isopropylidene acetals in acetonitrile using molecular iodine as a mild and efficient catalyst

A simple, mild and efficient method for deprotection of acetonides in the presence of molecular iodine is described. Acid labile protecting groups such as PMB, OMe, OBn, allyl and propargyl are compatible with the reaction conditions, while TBS, TBDPS, TMS and THP ethers were unstable under the same conditions.