Chemoselective Oxidative Debenzylation ofN,N-Dibenzylamines

Tertiary amines incorporating two N-benzyl substituents are readily mono-debenzylated with CAN or DDQ. An N,N-dibenzyl derivative of a dienylamine with a homoallylic C-N bond is smoothly deblocked by DDQ as well, whereas CAN leads to fragmentation in this case.