Pyridofuropyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrimidines and pyridofuropyrimido[1,2-a]azepines: new chemical entities (NCE) with anticonvulsive and psychotropic properties

Abstract

Herein we report the synthesis of several new condensed furo[2,3-b]pyridines 3 from the 3-oxo derivatives of cyclopenta[c]pyridine, 5,6,7,8-tetrahydroisoquinoline and pyrano[3,4-c]pyridine 1. The obtained furo[2,3-b]pyridines 3 were used as starting materials for the synthesis of pyridofuropyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrimidines 4 and pyridofuropyrimido[1,2-a]azepines 5. Interestingly enough, derivatives of pyridofuropyrimido[1,2-a]azepines 5 exhibited significantly better anticonvulsant activity than the commercial drug ethosuximide (zarontin). Some of them showed a sedative effect, unlike ethosuximide.