Iodotriphenylphosphonium iodide mediated deprotection of aryl alkyl ethers under metal-free and neutral conditions

A highly efficient method for the deprotection of aryl alkyl ethers under metal-free and neutral conditions was developed by iodotriphenylphosphonium iodide [Ph3P+I]I− formed in situ through the reaction of equimolar PPh3 and I2. A variety of aryl alkyl ethers including aryl methyl/allyl/benzyl/ethyl/n-propyl/i-propyl/n-butyl ethers can all be highly efficiently deprotected to release the corresponding phenols in good to excellent yields.