Efficient and catalytic deprotection of triphenylmethyl ethers with Ce(OTf)4

A very simple and efficient method is described for deprotection of trityl, mono and dimethoxytrityl ethers using catalytic amount of ceric triflate in acetonitrile under mild reaction conditions. High reactivity was observed for detritylation of saturated and benzylic ethers and also for structurally different nucleosides.