5-Methylpyrazine-2carboxylic acid@) is known to be an intermedk~ te'.~ in the synthesis of Glypizide (Minidiab). This drug is structurally related to the latest generation of sulfonylurea derivatives and is used in the treatment of insulin-independent diabetes3 The known route to 4 involves the oxidation of 2, 5-~ hnethylpyrazine c1) with 402 to mono-N-oxide 5, which with Ac, O, gave 2-acetoxymethyl-5-methylpyrazine (a. Hydrolysis of 6 with aqueous alkali ...
