Sodium-Lump-Mediated Mechanochemical Deprotection of Benzyl-Derived Groups

Abstract This study demonstrates the facile removal of benzyl-derived protecting groups via ammonia-free, mechanochemically driven Birch reduction using inexpensive and easy-to-handle sodium lumps. Various benzyl-protected alcohols and amines were efficiently deprotected within 30 min. Notably, all synthetic operations can be performed without inert gases or bulk solvents.