Reductive deprotection of silyl groups with Wilkinson’s catalyst/catechol borane

Traditionally silyl groups are deprotected with acids and fluorides. These methods are, however, less discriminating when multi-silyl groups are present in the same molecule, resulting in lower yields of the desired products. The manipulation of these functions during the total synthesis of natural products, for example, prostaglandins and isoprostanes, requires the selective protection and deprotection of these groups. reporting here on a mild, selective and efficient method for the reductive deprotection of silyl groups using Wilkinson’s catalyst/catechol borane or catechol borane alone.