In this paper, we describe the synthesis of various push–pull molecules with a central pyrazine unit connected to a hexatriene chain terminated by various p-substituted phenyl groups. The key steps involve metallation and subsequent transmetallation of 2-chloro and 2,6-dichloropyrazine followed by a Negishi cross-coupling reaction of the intermediate organozinc derivative with (2E,4E)-5-bromopentadienal