Several aldehydes and ketones have been condensed with pyrazylmethylsodium to give the corresponding pyrazylmethylcarbinols, PzCHsC (OH) RR1, in fair to excellent yields. Diphenylpyrazylmethylcarbinol was reductively cleaved with ethanolic potassium hydroxide to give methylpyrazine and benzhydrol while its reaction with potassium hydroxide in t-butyl alcohol gave methylpyrazine and benzophenone. Benzophenone was also reduced to ...
