A novel and efficient synthesis of DOPA and DOPA peptides by oxidation of tyrosine residues with IBX

An efficient route to 3,4-dihydroxylphenylalanine (DOPA) and DOPA peptides was described by oxidation of l-tyrosine and l-tyrosine derivatives with 2-iodoxybenzoic acid (IBX). DOPA was obtained after an situ reduction of the corresponding ortho-quinone with sodium dithionite. Oxidation reactions proceeded in good yields and high chemo- and regio-selectivity. The chirality of the DOPA residue was retained under the reaction conditions. The efficiency and the selectivity of the reaction were successfully tested using recyclable polymer-supported IBX.