Mild, versatile, and chemoselective indium(III) triflate-catalyzed deprotection of acetonides under microwave heating conditions

A series of acetonides (both terminal and internal isopropylidene acetals) have been deprotected under catalytic, neutral conditions to give their corresponding 1,2-diols. The reactions utilize indium(III) triflate in the presence of water and an organic solvent with mild microwave heating. Terminal acetonides are chemoselectivley removed in the presence of internal acetonides; acid labile functional groups remain intact under these conditions, thereby greatly enhancing the scope of the reaction substrates that can be utilized with this approach.