N-Boc-protected tyrosine esters 5a,b were converted into tetrahydroisoquinolines 13 and 14 in four steps by reduction and ring closure to oxazolidinones 9 and 10, addition of benzenesulfinic acid and aldehydes to sulfones 11 and 12 and subsequent Lewisacidcatalyzedcyclization. In the case of m-tyrosine derivative 5a, selective protection with bromine prevented the formation of undesired regioisomers