Catalytic hydrogenolysis of an O-benzyl protective group is a mild, selective
method introduced by Bergmann and Zervas6 to cleave a benzyl carbamate
(NCOOCH2C6H5 → NH) prepared to protect an amino group during peptide
syntheses. The method also has been used to cleave alkyl benzyl ethers, stable compounds
prepared to protect alkyl alcohols; benzyl esters are cleaved by catalytic
hydrogenolysis under neutral conditions.