2,5-Bis[4-(dimethylamino)phenyl]-3,6-dimethylpyrazine

Abstract

The title compound, C22H26N4, was prepared from p-dimethylaminopropiophenone in six steps. The molecule has no crystallographic symmetry. The dihedral angles between the pyrazine ring and the phenyl rings are 35.81 (6) and 37.11 (8)°. The dimethylamino groups are essentially planar (sum of the bond angles at N = 359.3 and 359.9°) and nearly coplanar with the adjacent aromatic ring [dihedral angles = 5.54 (11) and 7.40 (3)°]. This effect and the short aniline C—N bonds can be rationalised in terms of charge transfer from the amino groups to the central pyrazine ring.