Organocatalysts featuring a hydrogen bond donor–acceptor–donor structural element catalyze conjugate addition
An improved synthesis of 2,6-diamino-3,5-dinitropyrazine-1-oxide (LLM-105) is described, using N-nitroso-bis-(cyanomethyl)amine as the starting material in four steps including cyclisation, acidification; nitration and N-oxidation with a total yield of 54%. The factors influencing the reaction steps are discussed.