The cysteinyl radical and the methyl(phenyl)thiocarbamic acid radical have been generated by laser flash photolysis (266 nm) of BOC−Cys(Snm)−OH in acetonitrile and characterized both by time‐resolved (IR and UV/Vis) and standard spectroscopic methods (UV, IR, and NMR). The mode of action of the Snm unit [methyl(phenyl)thiocarbamic acid] is similar to the so‐called “caging” technique. Cleavage of the disulfide bridge by irradiation is possible in acceptable quantum yields. Time‐resolved IR (TR‐IR) spectroscopic experiments using the step‐scan FTIR technique allowed the detection of the methyl(phenyl)thiocarbamic acid radical (νC=O = 1607.7 and 1579.3 cm−1), which has a lifetime of about 3 µs. Because of the weak absorptions in the IR spectrum and the tendency for fast recombination to BOC‐protected cystine, the cysteinyl radical cannot be monitored by TR‐IR spectroscopy. Time‐resolved UV/Vis spectroscopy revealed the formation of both of these radicals and permitted the determination of the decay rates of the methyl(phenyl)thiocarbamic acid radical in the presence of several quenchers. NMR spectroscopic studies of the photolysis of BOC−Cys(Snm)−OH allowed us to identify N‐methylaniline, carbonyl sulfide, and BOC‐protected cystine as the major products. This study clearly demonstrates that the thiol protection group Snm is a suitable photolabile protecting group. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2003)