Two‐step syntheses of 3‐methyl and 3‐phenyl‐1,2,4‐benzotriazines

3‐Methyl‐1,2,4‐benzotriazine and some of its derivatives were prepared in moderate yields (50–70%) via a reductive cyclization by a PtO₂‐catalyzed hydrogenation of the corresponding 2‐nitrophenylhydrazones of the pyruvic acid. The latter compounds were obtained in yields higher than 90% by reacting 2‐nitrophenylhydrazines with sodium pyruvate salt. Three 3‐phenyl‐1,2,4‐benzotriazine compounds were also produced via a reductive cyclization by a Pt/C‐catalyzed hydrogenation of their corresponding 2‐nitrophenylhydrazono‐ethers in high yields (>70%). © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 17:166–172, 2006; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/hc.20200