An unexpected synthesis of 7-azidofurazano[3,4-b]tetrazolopyrazine

In the course of our program focused on the preparation of high-nitrogen content heterocyclic compounds, we wish to report an original synthesis of the tricyclic 7-azidofurazano[3,4-b]tetrazolopyrazine via an unprecedented reaction between 2,6-dimethoxy-3,5-dinitropyrazine and hydrazine hydrate. This compound was identified by an X-ray diffraction analysis. Further studies of its structure by 15N and 13C NMR spectroscopy were carried out in different solvents. This allowed us to observe a noteworthy equilibrium involving three forms resulting from the reversible opening of a tetrazole ring.