Zeolite Catalysis Enables Efficient Pyrazinone Synthesis in Water

Abstract We employed herein a Linde Type A zeolite as a heterogeneous catalyst to condense amino acid amides with glyoxal affording pyrazinones. The synthesis was conducted in water without using corrosive reagents, organic solvents, or additives. The power of this “aquachemistry” was demonstrated through robust, continuous-flow synthesis.