Synthesis of substituted 5-amino-8-phenyl-3H,6H-1,4,5a,8a-tetraazaacenaphthalen-3-ones, a new class of agents for the improvement of cognition.

Abstract The synthesis of the novel 5-amino-8-phenyl-3H,6H-1,4,5a,8a-tetraazaacenaphthalen-3-one ring system has yielded several compounds which display activity in the reversal of cognition deficits in rats and mice as compared to existing reference agents. Activity was determined by improvements in Hypoxic Survival and Anoxic-Induced Amnesia tests. The synthesis and biological activity of the title compounds is described.