Jennifer Albaneze-Walker

Synthesis of benzofuroquinolizine for α-2 adrenoceptor antagonist MK-912: an O-analogue of the Pictet-Spengler reaction

Abstract Efficient synthesis of benzofuroquinolizine ketone 1 was accomplished in four steps from ethyl 3-benzofuranacetate. The O-analogue of the Pictet-Spengler cyclization was used to form the benzofuroquinolizine ring structure as a key step.

Reductive decyanation of pyrazinecarbonitriles

Pyrazinecarbonitriles can be decyanated by hydrogenation with platinum on carbon in the presence of activated carbon under acidic conditions. Pyrazine carbonitrile-N-oxides undergo a stepwise reduction to the deoxy-pyrazinecarbonitriles followed by decyanation to give pyrazines in good yields.