A synthetic utility of 3-carboxypyridinium (CPCC) and 2,2′- bipyridinium (BPCC) chlorochromates in deprotection reactions is reported. Different types of thioamides, thioureas, thiono esters, and thioketones are deprotected to their corresponding carbonyl compounds with these reagents in good to excellent yields. The reactions were carried out in solution, under solvent-free conditions, and under microwave irradiation. The results show that with both reagents the rates of the reactions and the yields are usually highest under microwave irradiation. © Springer-Verlag 2003.