Utilising alkyl phenyl carbonates, an economical, practical and versatile method for selective Boc, Cbz and Alloc protection of polyamines has been developed. This method allows Boc, Cbz and Alloc protection of primary amines in the presence of secondary amines by reaction of the polyamines with the alkyl phenyl carbonates. Also, this method allows mono carbamate protection of simple symmetrical aliphatic α,Ï-alkanediamines in high yields with respect to the diamine. Finally, the method allows selective carbamate protection of a primary amine located on a primary carbon in the presence of a primary amine located on a secondary or a tertiary carbon in excellent yields.