Studies on cognitive enhancing agents. II. Antiamnestic and antihypoxic activities of 1-aryl-2-(2-aminoethoxy)ethanols.

A series of 2-(2-aminoethoxy)-1-phenylethanols having a variety of N- and phenyl-substitution patterns as well as 5- and 6-membered heteroaryl counterparts of our prototype compound 1 (2-(2-dimethylaminoethoxy)-1-phenylethanol) have been prepared and evaluated for antiamnestic and antihypoxic activities. Compound 3b, the 3-methylphenyl analogue of 1, proved to be significantly more potent than 1 in reversing electroconvulsive shock-induced amnesia as well as CO2-induced learning-impairment in mice. It exhibited low acute toxicity in mice and afforded a greater brain/serum concentration ratio than 1 after oral administration to rats.