Synthesis of pyrido[1′,2′:1,2]imidazo[4,5-b]pyrazines from 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyanopyrazine with 2-aminopyridines

Novel synthesis of the title compounds by the facile cyclization between 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyanopyrazine and various 2-aminopyridines under relatively mild conditions is described. The reactivity depended on the basicity of 2-aminopyridines.