2,5-Dimethylpyrazine has a characteristic odor of earthy, potato-like odor.
clear colorless to pale yellow liquid
Reported to be present in bakery products, roasted barley, cocoa products, roasted coffee, dairy products,
pork, peanuts, pecans, filberts, popcorn, potato products, rum and whiskey, soy products; a volatile component in roasted filberts and
in potato chips; reportedly identified in the fat of cooked beef; also reported found in toasted off-flavors. Also reported in cheeses,
butter, boiled eggs, grilled beef, tea, barley, oats, oatmeal, soybeans, heated beans, kohlrabi, shrimp and mushrooms. Also reported
found in coffee, potato chips and shrimp
2,5-Dimethylpyrazine is used as a reagent in the synthesis of bone-targeted proteasome inhibitors for multiple myeloma (MM). 2,5-Dimethylpyrazine is also used in the preparation of 3-Methyl-2,5-bis-(2-hydroxyethyl)pyrazine (M295340); a degredation product of Clavulanic Acid (C563750) which is a β-lactamase inhibitor, typically added to amoxicillin to increase its effectiveness.
2,5-Dimethyl pyrazine is used for blending food, nuts and beverage flavors.
2,5-Dimethyl pyrazine is held chiefly responsible for the typical flavor of Potato Chips (oil-fried, thin-sliced Potato). It has therefore been manufactured synthetically and is used in the reconditioning of commercial products, such as Potato Chips and the packaging material for same, and also for reconditioning of "instant" coffee.
ChEBI: 2,5-Dimethylpyrazine is a member of pyrazines.
By the interaction of acrolein and ammonia when heated in glycerol in the presence of ammonium salts; by self-condensation of aminoacetone, followed by oxidation with mercury chloride.
Detection: 80 ppb to 1.8 ppm
Taste characteristics at 7.5 ppm: musty, potato, cocoa and nutty with a fatty and oily nuance
2,5-Dimethylpyrazine is a pyrazine compound that is mainly formed in food products such as cooked rice or roasted peanuts due to the Maillard reaction between sugars and proteins during cooking or roasting process.
Moderately toxic by
ingestion and intraperitoneal routes.
Mutation data reported. When heated to
decomposition it emits toxic fumes of NOx
Purify it via its picrate (m 150o) which is decomposed with a base (e,g, KOH) and distilled. [Wiggins and Wise J Chem Soc 4780 1956]. [Beilstein 23/5 V 403.]
