Synthesis of 2,7-disubstituted-4,5,9,10-tetraazapyrenes

2,7-Dimethyl-4,5,9,10-tetraazapyrene (VI) was synthesized by the catalytic hydrogenation of 4,4′-dimethyl-2,2′,6,6′-tetranitrobiphenyl (IIa) with W-2 Raney nickel in the presence of alkali. 4,4′-Dicarbomethoxy-2,2′,6,6′-tetranitrobiphenyl (IIc) under similar conditions in neutral medium gave 4,4′-dicarbomethoxy-2,2′,6,6′-tetraaminobiphenyl (IV) which on oxidation gave 2,7-dicarbomethoxy-4,5,9,10-tetraazapyrene (V). 2,7-Dimethyl-, 2,7-dimethoxy-, and 2,7-diacetamido-4,5,9,10-tetraazapyrene di-N-oxides (III a,b,c) were obtained by catalytic reduction of the corresponding 4,4′-disubstituted-2,2′,6,6′-tetranitrobiphenyls with W-7 Raney nickel in the presence of alkali. Compound VI on oxidation with hydrogen peroxide gave the di-N-oxide (IIIa).