Synthesis of (-) or (+) -threo-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl) serine and (-) or (+) -erythro-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-serine]

The known synthesis of DL -3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-serine (DOPS) has been modified so that the diastereomeric threo and erythro forms could be separated. These were resolved into their antipodes, whose chemical, physical, and spectrochemical properties are discussed.