Synthesis and central nervous system activities of certain fluorine-containing 3-substituted indol-2-ones.

Several fluorine-containing 3- aroylmethyl -3-hydroxyindol-2-ones (4a-g), 3- aroylmethyleneindol -2-ones (5a-g) and 3- aroylmethylindol -2-ones (6a-g) were synthesized from the corresponding fluorine-containing indole-2,3-diones and appropriate ketones. The compounds were characterized by spectral studies. Representative compounds of each series were tested on mice for CNS activities, viz. analgesic and anticonvulsant and the effects were also observed against amphetamine-induced stereotypy, on conditioned avoidance response and on potentiation of pentobarbitone sodium hypnosis. Of the compounds examined, the greatest degree of activity was observed in 3- aroyl - methyleneindol -2-ones with a pronounced unsaturation in the system.