This chemical is primarily used in peptide synthesis as a protecting group for cysteine residues. It helps prevent unwanted side reactions during the formation of peptide bonds, ensuring the correct sequence and structure of the peptide. The Z-group (benzyloxycarbonyl) specifically protects the thiol group of cysteine, which is highly reactive and prone to oxidation or disulfide bond formation. This protection is crucial in solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) and solution-phase synthesis, where controlled and selective reactions are necessary. After the peptide chain is assembled, the Z-group can be removed under mild conditions, typically using hydrogenolysis or acidolysis, to yield the free cysteine residue. This makes it a valuable tool in the production of peptides for research, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology applications.