Synthesis of 1,3-disubstituted hydantoins as possible anticonvulsants

Seven newer 1,3-disubstituted hydantoins ( 17–23 ) were synthesized from 4-alkoxyanilines. The anticonvulsant activity of these substituted hydantoins and their precursor carbamides ( 10–16 ) was reflected by their ability to provide 28–80% and 30–70% protection, respectively, against pentylenetetrazol-induced convulsions in mice. In general, substituted hydantoins possessed greater anticonvulsant activity than their corresponding precursor carbamides.