A mild condition via PPh3/I2/imidazole for the deoxygenation of substituted methanol derivatives has been identified. This metal-free process was found to proceed well on secondary or tertiary alcohols substituted with one or two heteroaryl groups, and it tolerates acid-sensitive heterocycles. This condition works for methanol derivatives substituted with 2-pyridyl, 4-pyridyl, or other heterocyclic groups, allowing the negative charge formed during the reaction to resonate to a nitrogen atom. Methanol derivatives substituted with 3-pyridyl or heterocyclic groups that do not allow the negative charge formed during the reaction to resonate to a nitrogen atom will not undergo deoxygenation under this condition.