Synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of a new homologous series of (+/-)-p-fluoro-phenyl alcohol amide anticonvulsants.

The anticonvulsant activity of a homologous series of (+/-)-p-fluoro-phenyl alcohol amides is described. The compounds (+/-)-2-hydroxy-2-(4'-fluorophenyl)butyramide (2), (+/-)-3-hydroxy-3-(4'-fluorophenyl)pentanamide (4) and (+/-)-4-hydroxy-4-(4'-fluorophenyl)hexanamide (6) were prepared and tested. Compounds 2, 4 and 6 exhibited a similar significant activity in seizures provoked by pentylenetetrazol. Incorporation of fluorine in the para position of the phenyl ring, increased both their potency at the time of the peak drug effect and the duration of their anticonvulsant activity.