Abstract Diaryldimethylpyrazines are the starting materials for the synthesis of C 2-symmetric donor-or acceptor-substituted distyrylpyrazines. The optical properties of these cruciform- shaped dyes are dominated by the distyrylpyrazine units; the photophysics is controlled by the styryl substitution, the diaryl substituents on the central pyrazine only having a small effect. Protonation occurs on the pyrazine and/or lateral amines or azines, thereby altering ...
