10.1021/jo00048a038
The research focuses on the synthesis of highly substituted alkylpyrazines using a zirconium-mediated reaction. The key chemicals involved include Cp2Zr(Me)(THF)+ (1), various alkylpyrazines such as 2,5-dimethylpyrazine and 2,3-dimethylpyrazine, and different alkynes like 1-pentyne, (trimethylsilyl)acetylene, and 1-(trimethylsilyl)propyne. The process involves a sequential one-pot addition of alkylpyrazines, alkynes, and a proton source to a solution of Cp2Zr(Me)(THF)+ in CH2Cl2, yielding (E)-alkenyl-substituted alkylpyrazines in excellent yields. The regio- and stereoselectivity observed in these reactions are attributed to steric and electronic effects. The resulting alkenylpyrazines can be further manipulated using conventional synthetic techniques to produce a variety of highly substituted alkylpyrazines, including tri- and tetrasubstituted alkylpyrazines, bromoalkylpyrazines, and epoxyalkylpyrazines.