Synthesis and anticonvulsant activity of 1-aryl-3-methylene-2-pyrrolidinone adducts

Reaction of 1-aryl-3-methylene-2-pyrrolidinones with several active hydrogen compounds resulted in a Michael addition to give the title compounds. The compounds were screened in the maximal electroshock seizure and subcutaneous pentylenetetrazol seizure threshold tests for anticonvulsant activity and in the rotorod test for neurotoxicity in mice. Several compounds displayed anticonvulsant activity, but only at the high dose levels of 300 or 600 mg/kg.