Reese

The benzyl group has been widely used for the protection of hydroxyl functions in carbohydrate and nucleotide chemistry (C.M. McCloskey, 1957 C.B. Reese, 1965 B.E. Griffin, 1966). A common benzylation procedure involves heating with neat benzyl chloride and strong bases. A milder procedure is the reaction in DMF solution at room temperatiue with the aid of silver oxide (E. Reinefeld, 1971). Benzyl ethers are not affected by hydroxides and are stable towards oxidants (e.g. periodate, lead tetraacetate), LiAIH, amd weak acids. They are, however, readily cleaved in neutral solution at room temperature by palladium-catalyzed bydrogenolysis (S. Tejima, 1963) or by sodium in liquid ammonia or alcohols (E.J. Rcist, 1964). 

M. Mandels and E.T. Reese, in Advances in Enzymic Hydrolysis of Celltdose and Related Materials, ed. E. T. Reese, Pergamon, Oxford, 1963, pp. 115-157. 

See also C. B. Reese, Protection of Alcoholic Hydroxyl Groups and Glycol Systems, in Protective Groups in Organic Chemistry, J. F. W. McOmie, Ed., Plenum, New York and London, 1973, pp. 95-143 H. M. Flowers, Protection of the Hydroxyl Group, in The Chemistry of the Hydroxyl Group, S. Patai, Ed., Wiley-Interscience,... 

---