An efficient method for the removal of para-methoxybenzyl group of carbohydrates using sulfonated graphene as a sustainable acid catalyst.

A simple, efficient, and chemoselective deprotection of p-methoxybenzyl ethers in the presence of sulfonated graphene as a solid acid catalyst is presented. The developed method demonstrated broad functional group compatibility, effectively tolerating various protecting groups such as benzyl, benzoyl, TBDPS, naphthylmethyl, isopropylidene, and benzylidene. It achieved good to excellent yields within short reaction times, showcasing its efficiency and versatility. Moreover, this protocol offers advantages over traditional liquid acid catalysts including easy catalyst recovery by simple filtration, recyclability, and suitable for large-scale reactions.