Tetrahydro- alpha -pyrones and their intermediate salts of 5-hydroxy-2,3-diphenyl hexanoic acid have psychostimulant activity. A process for the preparation of these compounds comprises preparing the alkyl ester of a 5-oxo alkanoic acid from a 4-oxo alkane carbonitrile, obtained in a first stage by the action of benzyl cyanide on the corresponding alkenone, and then saponifying the obtained ester, followed by hydrogenation to form the 5-hydroxy-2,3-diphenyl hexanoic acid salt, followed if desired by cyclization to form the tetrahydro- alpha -pyrone.
Psychostimulant compounds