A convenient procedure for the preparation of symmetrically end-protected dialkynyl-1, 2- diones 3 from lithium acetylides and oxalyl chloride in the presence of CuBr and LiBr is described. The condensation of 3 with various aromatic and heteroaromatic 1, 2-diamines leads to pyrazine-based α-dialkynylated heterocycles. The enediyne substructure of diethynylquinoxaline can be thermally rearranged in a Bergman cyclization reaction.
