An efficient one-stage deprotection/reduction of 1,2-O-isopropylidene furanoses to the corresponding tetrahydrofurans

Treatment of 1,2-O-isopropylidenefuranose derivatives with triethylsilane/b oron trifluoride etherate results in generation of the corresponding tetrah ydrofurans. This one stage process removes the 1,2 O-isopropylidene group w ith accompanying deoxygenation at the anomeric position and is compatible w ith several hydroxyl protecting groups.