From Alkylpyrazines with Aldehydes and Ketones

2-Methylpyrazine heated with paraformaldehyde at 165° for 4.5 hours formed 2-(2 -hydroxyethyl)pyrazine (38%) (470,722), and with benzophenone and sodium amide gave 2-(2-hydroxy-2, 2 -diphenylethyl)pyrazine (705). A series of substituted 2-(2 -hydroxyethyl)pyrazines (e.g., 23) have been prepared from sodio-2-methylpyrazine (22) (from methylpyrazine and sodium in liquid ammonia) and aldehydes or ketones (706). Similarly 2-methyl-6-pyrazinylmethylsodium with aldehydes and ketones undergoes aldol-type condensations to give the corresponding secon- 

Sodio-2-methylpyrazine with methyl picolinate afforded a mixture containing 2-(pyridin-2 -ylcarbonylmethyl)pyrazine (42.6%) (24) and 2-pyridinylbis(pyrazinyl-methyl)carbinol (22.8%), and with ethyl formate gave only bis(pyrazinylmethyl carbinol (642). 

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