A mild and practical method for deprotection of aryl methyl/benzyl/allyl ethers with HPPh and BuOK.

A general method for the demethylation, debenzylation, and deallylation of aryl ethers using HPPh and BuOK is reported. The reaction features mild and metal-free reaction conditions, broad substrate scope, good functional group compatibility, and high chemical selectivity towards aryl ethers over aliphatic structures. Notably, this approach is competent to selectively deprotect the allyl or benzyl group, making it a general and practical method in organic synthesis.