At 60 ℃ the reaction of 1-O-alkyl-2-O-acetyl-3-O-trityl glycerol with iodine/methanol system removed trityl and acetyl and gave 1-alkyl glycerol. But at r.t. the reaction only removed trityl and gave two isomers 1-O-alkyl-2-O-acetyl glycerol and 1-O-alkyl-3-O-acetyl glycerol. 1-O-Alkyl-2,3-O, O-propylidene glycerol reacted with iodine/methanol system to give 1-O-alkyl glycerol in high yields. The reaction is belived to have an acid-catalyzed mechanism. Iodine/water/THF system could also be used for the deprotection.

Key words: deprotection, GLYCIDYL ETHER, IODINE, METHANOL, TETRAHYDROFURAN