Mild Method for Deprotection of the -Benzyloxycarbonyl (-Cbz) Group by the Combination of AlCl and HFIP.

Herein, we report our findings on the novel ability of aluminum chloride (AlCl) in fluorinated solvent 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoroisopropanol [HFIP] to selectively deprotect the -benzyloxycarbonyl group (-Cbz). The salient features of this method are good functional group tolerance including other reducible groups, cost-effectiveness, easy-to-handle, safe protocol, amenable to scale-up, high yields, and ambient temperature reactions. The methodology would serve as an excellent alternative to the use of pyrophoric hydrogen gas and metal catalyst reagents that pose severe safety and environmental concerns.