Ampyzine


Ampyzine, also known as dimethylaminopyrazine or as ampyzine sulfate in the case of the sulfate salt, is a drug described as a "central stimulant" or "CNS stimulant" and "euphoriant". It is said to be a monoamine oxidase inhibitor. Ampyzine was first described in the scientific literature by 1960.
An analogue of ampyzine is triampyzine. This drug is described as an anticholinergic and antisecretory agent.

Synthesis

The classical method for synthesizing 2-aminopyrazines is illustrated by the synthesis of ampyzine. The condensation reaction between glyoxal and 2-aminomalonamide forms the pyrazine derivative. Acid-catalysed hydrolysis of the amide and decarboxylation gives 2-hydroxypyrazine. Halogenation with phosphorus pentachloride produces 2-chloropyrazine which reacts with dimethylamine to yield ampyzine.