Chemoselective Deprotection of Cyclic N,O-Aminals Using Catalytic Bismuth(III) Bromide in Acetonitrile

Cyclic N,O-aminals can be chemoselectively and efficiently deprotected using a catalytic amount of bismuth(III) bromide in acetonitrile at room temperature. This selectivity was also achieved in the presence of terminal O,O-acetal functionality. The susceptibility of various other groups to cleavage was also investigated. This method has advantages of ease of operation and use of nontoxic and inexpensive reagents in catalytic amounts.