Silica chloride in the presence of NaI is a useful system for the efficient and selective conversion of TMS, TBDMS and THP ethers into their corresponding iodides

Direct and highly selective conversion of benzylic, allylic and propargylic TMS, TBDMS and THP ethers into their corresponding iodides with the SiO2–Cl/NaI system is described. Reactions were conducted in CH3CN at room temperature. Aliphatic silyl and tetrahydropyranyl ethers remained almost intact under similar reaction conditions.