Selective hydroxy group protection of gallic acid

An efficient procedure allowing selective differentiation of the 4-hydroxy group of Me gallate was reported. Me gallate was triacetylated to give 3,4,5-tris(acetyloxy)benzoic acid Me ester which was then regioselectively deacetylated to give the 3,5-tris(acetyloxy)-4-alkoxybenzoic acid Me esters I (R = alkyl, allyl, benzyl). [on SciFinder (R)]