tert-Buyldiphenylsilylethyl (“TBDPSE”):  A Practical Protecting Group for Phenols

A new protection group for phenols, the 2-(tert-butyldiphenylsilyl)ethyl (TBDPSE) group, has been prepared and investigated. Protection of a variety of substituted phenols proceeds in good to excellent yield. The group is stable to mild acid, base, hydrogenolysis conditions, and lithium/halogen exchange on the protected phenol. Removal is achieved with strong acid or standard fluoride treatment.