PROTECTING GROUPS IN
ORGANIC SYNTHESIS
1
Challenges in Organic Synthesis
Selective functionalization of poly-functional molecules is an
important and desirable attribute in multi-step organic synthesis.
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Protecting Groups: A Necessary Evil
Note, however, that each protecting group incorporated in a multi-
step synthesis increases the synthesis by two non-productive
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steps reducing the overall yield and efficiency of the synthesis. 3
Protecting Groups in Organic Synthesis
What is a protecting group?
A protecting group (PG) is a molecular framework that is introduced
onto a specific functional group (FG) in a poly-functional molecule to
block its reactivity under reaction conditions needed to make
modifications elsewhere in the molecule.
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Qualities of a Good Protecting Group in Organic
Synthesis
A good protecting group should be such that:
(a) It should be readily, but selectively introduced to the desired
functional group in a poly-functional molecule.
(b) It should be stable / resistant to the reagents employed in
subsequent reaction steps in which the group being masked
(protected) is desired to remain deactivated (protected).
(c) It should be capable of being selectively removed under mild
conditions when its protection is nolonger required.
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Protecting Groups in Organic Synthesis
The commonly encountered functional groups in organic synthesis
that are reactive to nucleophilic or electrophilic reagents whose
selective transformation may present challenges do regularly require
deactivation by masking with a protecting group.
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Protecting Groups for Alcohols
The common protecting groups for alcohols are ether-protecting
groups. Ethers are among the least reactive of the organic functional
groups
The ether protecting groups of alcohols can be grouped in the
following categories:
(a) Silyl ether protecting groups
(b) Acetal protecting groups
These protections replace the acidic proton on an alcohol with an
unreactive ether moiety.
Protecting Groups for Alcohols
Formation
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Protecting Groups for Alcohols
Tert-Butyldimethylsilyl ethers (TBDMS)
Example
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Protecting Groups for Alcohols
(Silyl Protecting Groups)
Cleavage
Fluoride sources:
Tetrabutylammonium fluoride, Bu4N+F- (TBAF)
Pyridine-HF
Hydrofluoric acid (HF)
1:56 PM Ammonium fluoride NH4+F- 10
Protecting Groups for Alcohols
(Silyl Protecting Groups)
Synthetic Applications of Silyl Protecting Groups
The bulkiness of TBDMS and TBDPS ether protecting groups can be
used to advantage to suppress hydrogen-bonding to the oxygen
restricting any incoming reagents to approach from the least hindered
side of the molecule.
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Protecting Groups for Alcohols
(Silyl Protecting Groups)
Synthetic Applications of Silyl Protecting Groups
The bulkiness of TBDMS and TBDPS ether protecting groups can
also be exploited in incorporating the protecting group on less
sterically encumbered primary hydroxyl groups selectively using sub-
molar amounts of the silyl chloride.
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Protecting Groups for Alcohols
(Benzyl ether Protecting Groups)
Rarely are alkyl ethers used as protecting groups for alcohols, but
benzyl ethers are special.
Formation
Cleavage
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Protecting Groups for Alcohols
(Cyclic Acetal Protecting Groups)
Acetonide Protecting Groups for 1,2-Diols
Formation
Cleavage R R OH
O Conditions
+ O
R O R OH
(a) Acid catalysed hydrolysis
H+, H2O
(b) AcOH / H2O
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Protecting Groups for Alcohols
(Perspectives on their Synthetic Applications)
Synthetic Applications of Ether Protecting Groups
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Protecting Groups for Alcohols
(Perspectives on their Synthetic Applications)
Synthetic Applications of Cyclic Acetal Protecting Groups
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Protecting Groups for Aldehydes and Ketones
(Acetal and Ketal Protecting Groups)
Acetal Protecting Group
Formation
Cleavage
Acid catalysed hydrolysis (dilute HCl or AcOH / H2O or TFA/ H2O or p-
TsOH in acetone) can be used.
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Protecting Groups for Aldehydes & Ketones
(Acetal and Ketal Protecting Groups)
Synthetic Applications of the Acetal Protecting Group
The Wieland-Miescher ketone is a common intermediate in the
synthesis of both natural and synthetic steroids.
Because of resonance stabilization, the carbonyl of the a,b-
unsaturated ketone is less electrophilic and therefore less reactive to
1:56 PM nucleophiles compared to an isolated ketone. 20
Protecting Groups for Carboxylic Acids
(Esters)
The common ester protecting groups for carboxylic acids are methyl,
ethyl and benzyl esters.
Methyl Esters
Formation
Cleavage
O
LiOH
R C OCH3 R CO2H + CH3OH
1:56 PM H2O2 21
Protecting Groups for Carboxylic Acids
(Esters)
Ethyl and benzyl esters are prepared based on the following rationale:
Best approach:
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Protecting Groups for Carboxylic Acids
(Esters)
Mechanism of DCC coupling
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Protecting Groups for Carboxylic Acids
(Esters)
Ethyl Esters
Formation
Cleavage
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Protecting Groups for Carboxylic Acids
(Esters)
Benzyl Esters
Formation
Cleavage
By hydrogenolysis: A very mild method for most functional groups
except with alkenes, alkynes and nitriles.
O H2
R C OCH2Ph R CO2H + PhCH3
Pd / C
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Protecting Groups for Amino Groups
(Carbamate Protecting Groups)
Tert-Butyloxycarbonyl Protecting Group (BOC)
Formation
Example
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Protecting Groups for Amino Groups
(Carbamate Protecting Groups)
Tert-Butyloxycarbonyl Protecting Group (BOC)
Cleavage
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Protecting Groups for Amino Groups
(Carbamate Protecting Groups)
Benzyloxycarbonyl Protecting Group (CBZ)
Formation
Cleavage
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Protecting Groups for Carboxylic Acids
(Ester Protecting Groups)
Perspectives in the Synthetic Applications of the Ester Protecting
Groups
Note that LiBH4 can reduce the more reactive ester functional group
leaving the less reactive carboxylic acid and carbamate groups
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