Selective monotetrahydropyranylation of symmetrical diols using P2O5/SiO2 under solvent-free conditions and their depyranylation

Selective protection of one of the hydroxyl group in 1, n-symmetrical diols is achieved by P2O5/SiO2-catalyzed reaction of the diol with dihydropyran under solvent-free conditions at room temperature. This selective protection is simple and it occurred under economically cheap conditions in high yield. The deprotected diol is simply obtained by refluxing of this compound in methanol using the same catalyst without any byproduct formation or additional purifications.