Benzyl ethers, ketals and orthoformates were cleaved with Pd (OH) 2/C in methanol, to generate the corresponding alcohol; carboxylic acid esters were stable under these reaction conditions. Pd (OH) 2/C in methanol was used for the deprotection of hydroxyl groups during the preparation of sequoyitol via myo-inositol orthobenzoate. This method of deprotection has the potential to be useful in the synthesis of different classes of organic compounds ...