Bis(4,5-dimethoxy-2-nitrophenyl)ethylene glycol: a new and efficient photolabile protecting group for aldehydes and ketones

Synthesis of a new photolabile protecting group, bis(4,5-dimethoxy-2-nitrophenyl)ethylene glycol () from 4,5-dimethoxy-2-nitrobenzyl alcohol in three steps in good yields is described. The acetals and ketals of are stable against acidic and basic reaction conditions and are cleaved smoothly on irradiation at 350 and 400 nm with regeneration of carbonyl compounds in high yields and efficiency.