Simultaneous protection and activation of amino acids using propargyl pentafluorophenyl carbonate.

[reaction: see text] A very efficient method for the simultaneous protection of the amino group and activation of the carboxyl group of amino acids is reported using propargyl pentafluorophenyl carbonate (PocOPfp). The amino group is protected as a propargyloxycarbonyl (Poc) derivative, and the carboxyl group is activated as a pentafluorophenyl ester. The yields obtained are good to excellent ranging from 60 to 87%.