Protecting groups prevent undesired reactions from occuring
during a synthesis, especially when you don't want a particular group to
be affected. Isobutylene protects the hydroxyl group of a primary alcohol
while another reaction is carried out on some other part of the molecule.
The hydroxyl group is then ready to react within the second part of the
synthesis, after removing the protecting group.
I hope this helps.
Leilani B.
(balaislv@plu.edu)
On Tue, 3 Dec 1996 slaughjm@plu.edu wrote:
> Hi everyone,
> I am unclear on protecting groups. In the book it says that you can use
> isobutylene to protect the hydroxyl group of a primary alcohol while
> another reaction is carried out on some other part of the molecule. I
> don't really understand what this means. Can anyone explain?
> Thanks,
> Julie S.
>
>