The pyrido[3,4-b]pyrazine systems investigated were found to form Reis
sert compounds in the presence of an acyl halide (or chloroformate) an
d trimethylsilyl cyanide. Only the mono Reissert compounds were isolat
ed. In the case of 2,3-diphenylpyrido[3,4-b]pyrazine (7), its reaction
with benzene sulfonyl chloride and trimethylsilyl cyanide gave 5-cyan
o-2,3-diphenylpyrido[3,4-b]pyrazine (16). Alkylation of the Reissert c
ompound 11 and analog 12 either directly gave the alkylated hetercycli
c base or the alkylated Reissert analog compound.