Selective desilylation of -butyldimethylsilyl ethers of phenols using potassium fluoride-alumina and ultrasound

The use of potassium fluoride on basic alumina in acetonitrile with ultrasound for the selecting deprotection of tert-butyldimethylsilyl ethers of phenols is described. The method, which features a non-aqueous work-up, readily cleaves tert-butyldimethylsilyl ethers of phenols at room temperature, whereas tert-butyldimethylsilyl ethers of benzyl alcohols or 2-(trimethylsilyl)ethoxymethyl ethers of phenols are stable.