Nitrogen-protecting groups are removed from the exocyclic nucleobase portion of a 2′-O protected nucleotide or 2′-halo nucleotide by contacting the nucleotide with an inorganic base. Typical is the removal of t-butylphenoxyacetyl protecting groups from the nucleobase portion of a 2′-O protected nucleotide on which the 2′-O protecting group is t-butyldimethylsilyl, removal or deprotection being accomplished by contact with a potassium carbonate solution.