The cyclization of 2-amino-3-chloropyrazine (I) with chloroacetone (II) by means of triethylamine at 100 C gives 8-chloro-2-methylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine (III), which is treated with benzyl alcohol and NaOH in DMF to yield 8-benzyloxy-2-methylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine (IV). The nitrosation of (V) with butyl nitrite in refluxing dioxane affords 8-benzyloxy-3-nitroso-2-methylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine (V), which is finally reduced with Zn in acetic acid, and treated with HCl.