Synthesis of Benzothiazoles. α-Amino-(4-hydroxy-6-benzothiazolyl)propionic Acid.

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/jo01299a041

The tentative structure assigned to the photobiologically important skin pigment pheomelanin is based on degradative studies of the natural chromophore.The title compound was reported to be one of several key amino acids isolated in these studies.The identity of this benzothiazole derivative has now been confirmed via an unambiguous eight-step total synthesis starting from 5-methyl-2-nitrophenol.