Para-substituted N-acetyl-L(S)- and -D(R)-alpha-amino-N-phenylglutarimides. A structure-activity study of substituent effects on steroselective anticonvulsant activity.

For purposes of carrying out structure-activity studies on a series of pure R and S enantiomorphs of various para-substituted N-acetyl-alpha-amino-N-phenylglutarimides, we synthesized the p-acetyl, iodo, cyano, ethyl, and n-butyl analogues. These compounds complimented previous R and S isomers (unsubstituted and the p-chloro, methyl, nitro, and methoxyl analogues) synthesized in our laboratories from amino acids of known absolute configuration. The neurotoxic doses (TD50's), anticonvulsant potencies [maximal electroshock seizures (MES) and subcutaneous metrazole (sc Met) ED50's], protective indices (PI = TD50/ED50), and effects on minimal seizure threshold (iv Met) were compared with similar values concomitantly determined for clinically employed anticonvulsants. A parallel relationship was shown between neutotoxicity (TD50) and potency (ED50) for the R and S analogues. In most cases R isomers had a more rapid onset of action and possessed greater neurotoxicity and greater anticonvulsant potency.