Smooth and quantitative deprotection of a wide range of acetals and ketals [Eq. (a); R, R(1)=alkyl, aryl, H] under neutral to mildly basic conditions was achieved with catalytic quantities of cerium ammonium nitrate (CAN). The reaction conditions are compatible with a variety of sensitive functional groups, and aldehydes can be liberated from acetals without being oxidized to the corresponding carboxylic acids.
Marko, Istvan ; Ates ; Gautier, Ph. E. ; Leroy, Bernard ; Plancher ; et. al. Cerium(IV)-Catalyzed Deprotection of Acetals and Ketals under Mildly Basic Conditions.. In: Angewandte Chemie (International ed. in English), Vol. 38, no. 21, p. 3207-3209 (1999)
