1. New Photoremovable Protecting Groups, which Release in High Quantum Yields Anna D. Gudmundsdottir, Department of Chemistry, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati OH 45221
We have designed new photoremovable protecting groups (PRPGs) for alcohols. With the aid of, transient spectroscopy, calculations and product studies, we were able to elucidate the mechanism for the release from these PRPGs. The release of the alcohol moiety is initiated by intramolecular H-atom abstraction. Both the rate and quantum yield for the photorelease can be controlled by intramolecular H-atom bonding. Furthermore, formation of radicals that undergo irreversible rearrangements can also be used to ensure high quantum yields.