The reaction of a-bromo-p-pentafluorophenylpropionic acid (4) with ammonia gives trans-4- amino-2, 3, 5, 6-tetrafluorocinnamic acid (5), rather than pentafluorophenylalanine (1). Compound 1 is prepared by hydrogenolysis of a-azido-p-pentafluorophenylpropionic acid, by reductive hydrolysis of the azlactone precursor, and by the acetamidomalonate procedure (the method of choice). Tetrafluorotyrosine (2) is prepared in 17% over-all yield ...