• Protection of primary and secondary alcohols as hexafluorophenylisopropyl (HIP) ethers can be effected under Mitsunobu conditions. The HIP group shows outstanding chemical resistance under a wide pH range and also in the presence of nucleophiles, organometallic reagents, oxidants, reducing agents and Lewis acids. Selective deprotection with Li naphthalenide is effective, even at -78o: J. Am. Chem. Soc., 116, 8354 (1994).