Acylation of 3,4-Dihydropyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazines

The direction of trifluoroacetylation with trifluoroacetic anhydride of 3,4-dihydropyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazines containing an alkyl or aralkyl substituent in position 1 depends on both the structure of the 3,4-dihydropyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazine starting materials and on the ratio of reagent:substrate. It may lead to both mono- and disubstituted products. Trifluoroacetylation of 1-methyl-3,4-dihydropyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazines occurs at the methyl group. Acetylation of 3,4-dihydropyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazines leads only to N-acetyl-substituted reaction products.