P-Nitrobenzylalcohol CAS:619-73-8

p-Nitrobenzyl alcohol finds extensive application as a protecting group in organic synthesis. The nitro group activates the benzyl carbon, making it highly susceptible to cleavage by reduction. This allows temporary protection of alcohols, thiols, amines and carboxylic acids during multi-step sequences. Cleavage under mild conditions regenerates the functional groups. It is widely used in synthesizing peptides, nucleic acids and complex natural products. As the nitrobenzyl group is acid-stable and cleaved under reductive conditions, it enables sophisticated protecting/deprotecting strategies. p-Nitrobenzyl alcohol also acts as an ultraviolet light-sensitive caging group for temporally controlled release of biomolecules like neurotransmitters and growth factors. Additionally, it serves as an intermediate in manufacturing agrochemicals, dyes and photographic chemicals.