Synthesis of 1-trans-cinnamoyl- and 1-[trans-3-(pyridyl)acryloyl]-2-pyrrolidinone derivatives and their effect on hemicholinium-induced impairment of water maze learning in mice

Abstract

Various 1-trans-cinnamoyl-2-pyrrolidinones (6a-k) and 1-[trans-3-(pyridyl)acryloyl]-2-pyrrolidinones (9a-c) mere prepared as analogues of the nootropic agent, aniracetam (2), and their effects on hemicholinium-induced impairment of water maze learning in mice were examined. 1-(trans-3-Methoxycinnamoyl)-, 1-(trans-4-methoxycinnamoyl)- and 1-(trans-4-chlorocinnamoyl)-2-pyrrolidinones (6c, d, h) and 1-[trans-3-(3-pyridyl)acryloyl]-2-pyrrolidinone (9c) were found to be more active than aniracetam in these tests. In addition, these 2-pyrrolidinones (6a-k, 9a-c) mere apparently observed to lengthen mouse survival time following hemicholinium injection into the brain.