Pyrazine

Pyrazine is a heterocyclic aromatic organic compound with the chemical formula C4H4N2.

It is a "deliquescent crystal or wax-like solid with a pungent, sweet, corn-like, nutty odour".

[3] Pyrazine and a variety of alkylpyrazines are flavor and aroma compounds found in baked and roasted goods.

Tetramethylpyrazine (also known as ligustrazine) is reported to scavenge superoxide anions and decrease nitric oxide production in human granulocytes.

[5] A variation is the Gutknecht pyrazine synthesis (1879) also based on this selfcondensation, but differing in the way the alpha-ketoamine is synthesised.

Pyrazine molecule
Pyrazine molecule
NFPA 704 four-colored diamond Health 2: Intense or continued but not chronic exposure could cause temporary incapacitation or possible residual injury. E.g. chloroform Flammability 2: Must be moderately heated or exposed to relatively high ambient temperature before ignition can occur. Flash point between 38 and 93 °C (100 and 200 °F). E.g. diesel fuel Instability 0: Normally stable, even under fire exposure conditions, and is not reactive with water. E.g. liquid nitrogen Special hazards (white): no code