Claims for Patent: 4,837,223

Summary for Patent: 4,837,223

Title:	(S)-alpha-ethyl-2-oxo-1-pyrrolidineacetamide compositions
Abstract:	(S)-alpha-ethyl-2-oxo-1-pyrrolidineacetamide, its preparation and pharmaceutical compositions containing the same. It can be prepared either by reacting (S)-alpha-ethyl-2-oxo-1-pyrrolidineacetic acid successively with an alkyl haloformate and with ammonia, or, by cyclizing an (S)-2-amino-butanamide of the formula X--CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 -NHCH (C.sub.2 H.sub.5)CONH.sub.2 wherein Y is a --CH.sub.2 --radical when X represents a ZOOC--radical and Y is a --CO-- radical when X represents a HalCH.sub.2 --radical, Z being a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl radical and Hal a halogen atom. This laevorotatory enantiomer has been found to have significantly higher protective activity against hypoxia and ischemia than the corresponding racemate.
Inventor(s):	Gobert; Jean (Brussels, BE), Geerts; Jean-Pierre (Leglise, BE), Dodson; Guy (Bellefontaine, BE)
Assignee:	UCB Societe Anonyme (Brussels, BE)
Application Number:	07/025,277
Patent Claims:	1. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of (S)-alpha-ethyl-2-oxo-1-pyrrolidineacetamide and a pharmaceutically acceptable solid or liquid diluent or carrier therefor, said composition being substantially free of (R)-alpha-ethyl-2-oxo-1-pyrrolidineacetamide. 2. (S)-alpha-ethyl-2-oxo-1-pyrrolidineacetamide substantially free of (R)-alpha-ethyl-2-oxo-1-pyrrolidineacetamide, prepared by the process which comprises cyclizing, in an inert solvent and in the presence of a basic substance, an (S)-2-amino-butanamide of the formula in which X represents ZOOC-- or HalCH.sub.2 --, wherein Z is alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms and Hal a halogen atom, and Y represents --CH.sub.2 -- or --CO--, with the proviso that Y is --CH.sub.2 -- when X represents ZOOC--, and Y is --CO-- when X represents HalCH.sub.2 --.