Derivatives of 1,2,3,11a-tetrahydro-5H-pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepine-5,11(10H)-dione as anxiolytic agents.

A study of the pharmacological properties of pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepine derivatives led to the choice of (+)-1,2,3,11a-tetrahydro-10-methyl-5H-pyrrolol[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepine-5,11)10H)-dione as a candidate for anxiolytic evaluation in a limited clinical trial in man. Metabolism studies in laboratory animals have pointed to rapid hydroxylation, possibly in the 3 and 11a positions. A series of compouds containing methyl groups in one or more of these positions has been prepared in an effort to block metabolism and thereby obtain more active or longer acting compounds. All of these derivatives were less active than the parent compound.