Synthesis of 2-semicarbazonomethyl-4,5-methylenedioxyphenylacetic acids as anticonvulsant agents

A series of 2-semicarbazonomethyl-4,5-methylenedioxyphenylacetic acids (12-19) were synthesized and tested as anticonvulsant agents in DBA/2 mice against sound-induced seizures and the results compared to those previously reported for the corresponding methyl esters (4-11). The new compounds possess anticonvulsant properties lower than those of 4-11, but, in some instances, comparable to that of GYKI 52466, a well-known noncompetitive AMPA receptor antagonist.