Peptides MEX / Glossary
Protecting groups: selectivity during synthesis
Building a chain with several reactive sites requires knowing which group can react at each stage.
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Temporary protection of chemical functions
A protecting group temporarily blocks a chemical function to limit unwanted reactions. In peptides it may protect the terminal amino group or side-chain functions. The protector belongs to an intermediate, not necessarily to the intended final structure.
Sources: [1]
What orthogonality means
An orthogonal strategy permits one protection to be removed while others remain. In a scheme, identify the group changed and those retained. Two abbreviations within an amino acid name can refer to different positions; they are not interchangeable decorations.
Sources: [1]
Questions about this reference
Are all protecting groups removed in one step?
No. Depending on the strategy, they may be removed selectively at different stages.
Sources and original reading
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