The acetyl group has been frequently employed as a protecting group for alcohols and thiols based upon its ready installation and cleavage.1 View all references The acetylation/deacetylation protocol has gained popularity in organic synthesis because of readily available precursors. The different reagents employed in deacetylation23. Zervan , L. , Photaki , I. and Ghelis , N. 1963. On cysteine and cystine peptides, II: S??acyl cysteines in peptide synthesis. J. Am. ...