A new urethane-type protecting group for amines, cinnamyloxycarbonyl (Coc) group, is described. The cleavage of the Coc group is effectively catalyzed by 5 mol% of [Pd (PPh 3) 4] in the presence of formic acid, pyridine, and N-hydroxysuccinimide in refluxing THF. The Z- and Boc-protecting groups are not affected under the same reaction conditions.