The tethering of the photoprotecting group to new substrates is an important objective of our research program on photoremovable protecting groups (ppg). The release of the substrate by photolysis imparts both spatial and temporal control to the researcher.

Our studies on p-hydroxyphenacyl derivatives as ppg's require modification of our previous strategies by coupling the serotonin to the phototrigger through a carbonate linkage. The photochemistry and the synthesis of this new photoremovable substrate will be discussed.