Phenyl esters of N-terminal amino-protected peptides are valuable intermediates in synthesis of polypeptides. The phenyl ester function is stable during the customary manipulations of chain extension, and it can be removed selectively by treatment with one equivalent of hydrogen peroxide at pH 10.5 in a variety of solvents such as 80% acetone, dimethylfonnamide, hexamethylphosphoramide or trifluoroethanol