A frequent requirement in organic synthesis is the protection of one or more of the major functional groups - the hydroxyl, amino, carboxyl, carbonyl and sulfhydryl groups. For these major functional groups, this book provides concise, comprehensive coverage of the most useful protective groups. For each functional group, a short section discusses the chemistry of the classes of protective groups that are available. The chemistry of the individual protective groups in the class is then described using structures, equations and references.