Central nervous system active compounds. IX. Cinnolinylisobenzofuranones [1-(3-Phthalidyl)cinnolin-4(1H)-ones]

Abstract

The synthesis and central nervous system activity of a number of cinnolinylisobenzofuranones are described. The compounds are prepared in moderate yield by the reaction of the sodium salt of a cinnolin-4-one with the appropriate 3-bromophthalide. ¹H, ¹³C n.m.r., and infrared spectral evidence for the structure of the compounds is presented. The compounds cause a loss of muscular control in mice.