Some observations on the reaction of catechol derivatives with amines and amino acids in presence of oxidizing agents

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Abstract
Ethyl N-(3,4-dihydroxy-phenyl) aminoacetate, believed to be the initial product of the reaction between o-benzoquinone and glycine ethyl ester, was synthesized and its properties are descr. It is concluded that reaction between an o-benzoquinone derivative and an amino acid or protein, the first step in the hardening of the insect exocuticle, involves initially substitution at positions 4 and/or 5 of the quinone nucleus, the N of the amino groups becoming directly attached to the quinone nucleus; subsequently indole formation followed by oxidative polymerization may occur, or re-oxidation to the quinone form may be followed by complex condensation reactions.