Synthesis and pharmacology of novel anxiolytic agents derived from 2-[(dialkylamino)methyl-4H-triazol-4-yl] benzophenones and related heterocyclic benzophenones.

A series of novel [(dialkylamino)methyl-4H-1,2,4-triazol-4-yl]benzophenones and related compounds has been prepared via total synthesis from substituted aminodiphenylmethanes or by hydrolysis and subsequent methylation of triazolobenzodiazepines. These new triazole compounds were found to have potent sedative and muscle relaxing activity in mice (i.e., these compounds depressed the traction and dish reflexes). In addition, the title compounds antagonized the clonic convulsions induced in mice by the administration of pentylenetratrazole (Metrazol, 85 mg/kg), with ED50's varying from 2.0 to 23.0 mg/kg, and the lethality induced by thiosemicarbazide, with ED50's varying from 0.02 to 9.0 mg/kg. In several biological tests, the potency of seven new benzophenone derivatives approached or exceed that of diazepam (35a) or its glycylaminobenzophenone analogue 36.