A new efficient deprotection of azines, hydrazones and oximes. An excellent route for exchanging oxygen isotopes in carbonyls

Carbonyls, protected as azines or other CN derivatives can be deprotected by HOF·CH₃CN in seconds to the corresponding ketone or aldehyde in very good yields. This reaction also offers a very efficient route for replacing the oxygen atom of most carbonyls with any other oxygen isotope, for example, [18]O.