One-pot selective cleavage of prenyl carbamates using iodine in methanol followed by zinc

The prenyloxycarbonyl (Preoc) moiety was efficiently removed from carbamates to provide the corresponding amines in good to excellent yields (63–88%) by using iodine in methanol followed by treatment of the resulting β-methoxyiodides by zinc powder. The reaction conditions are compatible with the presence of a number of functional groups such as Boc and Cbz carbamates, sulfides, double bonds, indoles and aromatic methyl ethers.