(Diacetoxyiodo)benzene in the presence of acetic–trifluoroacetic acid in THF has been developed for the chemoselective para-methoxybenzylic C H bond oxidation to provide aryl carbonyl compounds at room temperature. The reaction condition is also applicable for the chemoselective deprotection of para-methoxybenzyl (PMB) ether in the presence of benzyl ether.