Synthesis and bioorthogonal coupling chemistry of a novel cyclopentenone-containing unnatural tyrosine analogue.

Herein we report the synthesis of a novel amino acid with orthogonal functionality to the natural amino acid side chains. Tyrosine was O-alkylated with a cyclic 5-membered alpha,beta-unsaturated ketone ring (5). We have established that this amino acid analogue can undergo cycloaddition reactions in aqueous media with in situ generated nitrones.