Potential nootropic agents: Synthesis of a series of (2-oxo-1-pyrrolidinyl)acetic acid piperazides

Abstract

The title compounds VI-XXIII were prepared by heating ethyl (2-oxo-1-pyrrolidinyl)acetate (II) with a series of N-monosubstituted piperazines. The propionamides XXVI and XXX were obtained by reactions of the acid chlorides IV and XXXIII with 3-(1-piperazinyl)propionamide. Compounds VI (V⁄FB-13 763) and VIII (V⁄FB-14 745) proved more active than piracetam (I) by their antiamnesic effects in rats, by antagonizing the brain-damaging effects of cycloheximide in infantile rats, and by their potentiation of the effects of anticonvulsant agents.