Tautomerization of methyl-substituted dihydropyrazine (DHP) derivatives to their latent enamine form was investigated theoretically and empirically. Among two types of hydrogen transfer model simulated by means of density functional theory calculation, a simple intramolecular hydrogen shift mechanism for 5,6-dimethyl-2,3-dihydropyrazine (1) and 5-methyl-6-phenyl-2,3-dihydropyrazine (3) required high activation energies for tautomerism, while a water-assisted intermolecular hydrogen transfer mechanism gave smaller activation energies (about 160 kJ/mol). Examination of the deuterium exchange reaction of 3 in 50% (v/v) D(2)O/dimethyl sulfoxide-d(6) solution revealed temperature-dependent and stepwise deuterium exchange of the 5-methyl group. Reaction of compound 3 with phenyl isocyanate in acetonitrile afforded a mono adduct (7) at the 5-methyl group, and a cyclic adduct (8). These results represent evidence of tautomerism of 5-methyl-2,3-dihydropyrazines (imine forms) to the latent enamine tautomers, and suggest that DHPs may behave as enamines to a significant degree under physiological conditions.