Convenient syntheses of biogenic aldehydes, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetaldehyde and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylglycolaldehyde

The title compounds were prepared from a common precursor, a bis-THP-protected dihydroxyphenylacetic acid methyl ester. Key steps are the introduction of the α-hydroxyl group by Davis oxaziridine reagent and formation of the aldehydes by DIBALH ester reduction.