Patent ID: 6881836

Claim:
A method of protecting and deprotecting a reactive group in a compound, comprising: coupling the reactive group with a second compound of the formula Ar—C(R 1 )(R 2 )—O—C(O)—X, wherein: Ar is an optionally substituted fused polycyclic aryl or heteroaromatic group or a vinylogously substituted species of the foregoing; R 1 and R 2 are independently H, optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl, or optionally substituted aryl or heteroaromatic group or a vinylogously substituted derivative of the foregoing; and X is a leaving group; provided that when Ar is 1-pyrenyl and R 1 and R 2 are H, the reactive group being protected is not an amine, to provide a protected compound with its reactive group protected by linkage to Ar—C(R 1 )(R 2 )—O—C(O)—; and irradiating the protected compound to provide a deprotected compound.