Anticonvulsant activity of alkyl-substituted N-benzylcyanoacetamides

Thirteen new derivatives of 2-alkyl- and 2,2-dialkyl-N-benzylcyanoacetamide, a cyano analog of beclamide, were synthesized and tested for anticonvulsant activity. The unsubstituted compound was more active and more toxic than the derivatives. No activity was observed when the alkyl substituents in the symmetrically disubstituted derivatives contained a total of six or more carbon atoms or when benzyl was a substituent. The monosubstituted compounds were more toxic than the disubstituted compounds.