The introduction and removal of protecting groups involve specific chemical reactions:
- Introduction: Typically, this involves a reaction between the functional group and a reagent that adds the protecting group. For example, silylation of an alcohol using a silyl chloride in the presence of a base. - Removal: Deprotection is achieved through a reaction that cleaves the protecting group under mild conditions that do not affect the rest of the molecule. For instance, silyl ethers can be cleaved using tetrabutylammonium fluoride (TBAF).
