Boron tribromide mediated debenzylation of benzylamino and benzyloxy groups

The treatment of 2(or 4)-benzylamino substituted quinolines, 9-benzylaminoacridine, 2-benzylaminopyridine, a 4-benzyloxyquinoline, and an N-benzyloxyamidine with BBr3 yields the corresponding amino or hydroxy substituted compounds. The scope and limitations of this novel reaction are discussed.