Clean deprotection of carbohydrate derivatives containing benzylidene acetals and benzyl ethers was achieved under catalytic transfer hydrogenation conditions by using a combination of triethylsilane and 10% Pd/C in CH(3)OH at room temperature. A variety of carbohydrate diol derivatives were prepared from their benzylidene derivatives in excellent yield.
Keywords: Pd/C; benzylidene; glycoside; transfer hydrogenation; triethylsilane.