In the course of a study on the quaternization of 2, 5-dimethylpyrazine (DMP), the reaction with CY-haloacids was found to proceed in an unusual manner. The expected betaine salts could not be isolated. Even at room temperature, carbon dioxide was evolved and only decarboxylated quaternary salts obtained. This ease of decarboxylation contrasts sharply with the stability normally exhibited by betaine salts. For example, l- ...
