A novel and convenient chemoselective deprotection method for both silyl and acetyl groups on acidic hydroxyl groups such as phenol and carboxylic acid by using a nitrogen organic base, 1,1,3,3-tetramethylguanidine.

[reaction: see text] 1,1,3,3-Tetramethylguanidine (TMG)(1), a nitrogen organic base, is a convenient and useful reagent for chemoselective deprotection of both silyl and acetyl groups on acidic hydroxyl groups such as phenol and carboxylic acid without affecting aliphatic silyl and acetyl groups. The chemoselectivity is dependent on the acidity of the hydroxyl group.