Specific removal of o-methoxybenzyl protection by DDQ oxidation.

Methoxybenzyl protecting groups of alcohols were readily and efficiently removed with DDQ in CH₂Cl₂-H₂O at room temperature. Under these neutral conditions, other usual protecting groups, isopropylidene, methoxymethyl, benzyloxymethyl, tetrahydropyranyl, acetyl, t-butyldimethylsilyl, benzyl, benzoyl, and tosyl, as well as functional groups, epoxide, double bond, and ketone, were remained unchanged.