title: Convenient synthesis of N-alkoxymethylbarbituric acids and N-alkoxymethylhydantoins.
abstract: A simple one-step method for the N-alkoxymethylation of barbituric acids and hydantoins is presented. The compounds are N-methoxymethylated or N-ethoxymethylated using phosphorus pentoxide and dimethoxymethane or diethoxymethane, respectively, in a chlorinated solvent. 1-Methoxymethyl-3-ethyl-5-phenylhydantoin showed significant anticonvulsant activity in the subcutaneous pentylenetetrazol test, while 1,3-bis(methoxymethyl)-5-ethyl-5-(p-tolyl) barbituric acid was inactive.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000138:chemical synthesis*; D001463:Barbiturates / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000494:pharmacology; D004597:Electroshock; D006827:Hydantoins / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D008722:Methods; D051379:Mice
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D001463:Barbiturates; D006827:Hydantoins