Synthesis and Anticonvulsant Activity of Some Novel 2-Methyl Imidazole Derivatives

A novel series of ten N-(aryl)-2-(2-methyl-1H-imidazol-1-yl)acetamides (5a-j) were synthesized by reacting 2- methylimidazole (4) with the corresponding ω- chloroacetanilides (3a-j) in Dimethly Formamide and potassium carbonate. The compounds have been characterized on the basis of elemental analysis and spectral data. All the synthesized compounds were screened for their anticonvulsant activity. Among the compounds subjected to anticonvulsant activity, compounds 5a, 5b, 5d, 5f, 5g, 5h, 5i and 5j, at a dose of 100mg/kg body weight i.p. showed significant anticonvulsant activity (p<0.01) as they delayed the onset of convulsions. The compounds 5a, 5d, 5h, 5i and 5j also decreased the duration of seizures significantly (p<0.01 and P<0.05) and the results were comparable to the diazepam treated group. Compound 5g is the most active molecule as; it increased the onset of convulsion time to nearly two fold and comparable duration of action to that of diazepam.