Safe Removal of the Allyl Protecting Groups of Allyl Esters using a Recyclable, Low-Leaching and Ligand-Free Palladium Nanoparticle Catalyst

A safe, facile and low-leaching (up to 0.04 ppm) method has been developed for the removal of allyl, prenyl and benzyl protecting groups from the corresponding esters, using a sulfur-modified gold-supported palladium (SAPd) nanoparticle catalyst, which is known to be non-flammable. The catalyst itself was found to be recyclable and the reaction appeared to proceed on the surface of the SAPd.