A novel isocyanide-based three-component reaction: synthesis of highly substituted 1,6-dihydropyrazine-2,3-dicarbonitrile derivatives.

A novel multi-component synthesis of highly substituted 1,6-dihydropyrazine-2,3-dicarbonitrile derivatives starting from simple and readily available inputs is described. Thus, simply stirring an ethanol solution of 2,3-diaminomaleonitrile, a ketone, and an isocyanide in the presence of a catalytic amount of p-toluenesulfonic acid provided highly substituted 1,6-dihydropyrazine-2,3-dicarbonitrile derivatives in good to excellent yields at ambient temperature.