Synthesis and regiospecificity in methylation of pyrido[1,2-a]pyrazinium-1- and 3-olates and pyrido[1,2-b]pyridazinium-2- and 4-olates

New methods have been developed for the synthesis of pyrido1,2-a]pyrazinium-1- and 3-olates 5a-f, 9 and 1-thiolate 24 as well as of pyrido1,2-b]pyridazinium-4- and 2-olates 14, 20 . The methylation of these new compounds was studied by soft and hard methylating agents. Depending on the nature of the reagent used, the pyrido1,2-a]pyrazinium-1-olates 5a-f gave NMe 22a-f and/or OMe 23a-f products, whereas the 3-olate 9 and both the 4- and 2-pyridazinium-olates 14, 20 afforded solely OMe compounds 10, 15, 21 . A selectivity rule for methylation is proposed.