SYNTHESIS OF ALPHA-[C-14]METHYL AND A-[H-3]METHYL-L-TRYPTOPHAN

The title compounds were synthesized starting from dimethyl l)hexahydr opyrrolo[2,3-b]indole-1,2-dicarboxylate. This compound on treatment wi th LDA followed by reaction with [C-14]methyl iodide or [H-3]methyl io dide gave the methyl substituted derivative which on treatment with tr ifloroacetic acid followed by hydrolysis with alkali gave the desired alpha-[C-14]methyl- or [H-3]methyl-L-tryptophan, respectively, in 50-6 0% radiochemical yield.