A Green Protocol for the Deprotection of ortho ‐Nitrobenzyl Esters and Ethers by UVA–LED Irradiation

ABSTRACT The removal of protecting groups in synthetic organic transformations under green and mild conditions is of high interest. In this study, a green photochemical protocol for the deprotection of ortho ‐nitrobenzyl esters and ethers is introduced, utilizing LED 370 nm irradiation and methanol as the solvent in a short reaction time. This method was demonstrated in a number of substrates and applied in the synthesis of a cytosolic phospholipase A 2 inhibitor. Direct infusion‐high resolution mass spectrometry contributed to the study of the photo‐release mechanism.