Hydroxyl group deprotection reactions with Pd(OH)2/C: a convenient alternative to hydrogenolysis of benzyl ethers and acid hydrolysis of ketals

Benzyl ethers, ketals and orthoformates were cleaved with Pd(OH)2/C in methanol, to generate the corresponding alcohol; carboxylic acid esters were stable under these reaction conditions. Pd(OH)2/C in methanol was used for the deprotection of hydroxyl groups during the preparation of sequoyitol via myo-inositol orthobenzoate. This method of deprotection has the potential to be useful in the synthesis of different classes of organic compounds since the reaction conditions do not involve strong acids, bases or hydrogen.