New pyrroline-2-one derivs. are of formula (I): (where R1 and R2 are H, 1-3C alkyl or 5-6C cycloalkyl, or NR1R2 is a heterocycle opt. contg. another O or N hetero-atom; n = 0-2). Cpds. (I) have CNS activity. Tests indicate that they increase the ability of rats to acquire conditioned reflexes. A typical cpd. is 2-(2-oxo-DELTA 3-pyrrolin-1-yl)acetamide. In an example, this is prepd. by reacting ethyl 2-(4-hydroxy-2-oxopyrrolidino)acetate with MeSO2Cl, heating with NEt3, and reacting with NH3.
(Delta-3)-pyrrolinone amide derivs. - with CNS activity