Pteridine studies. Part XXXVI. The action of acid and alkali on pteridine

Abstract

Investigation of the action of acid and alkali on pteridine shows that 2-amino-3-formylpyrazine (IIa) is liberated so quickly that 2-formamido-3-formylpyrazine (IIb), the most likely intermediate, is not detectable. Improved preparative methods for pteridine and 2-amino-3-formylpyrazine are reported. Formylation of the latter gives 2-formamido-3-formylpyrazine which undergoes self-condensation to the monoformyl-anhydrotrimer: 2-di-(2′-formylpyrazin-3-ylamino)methyl-3-formamidopyrazine (III).