Monoamine oxidase inhibitors. Synthesis of a series of isopropylidine and isopropyl derivatives of some aryl and arylalkyl acid hydrazides

Six isopropylidene hydrazides and six isopropyl hydrazides were prepared. This investigation was undertaken since recent derivatives of hydrazines and hydrazides have shown considerable activity as monoamine oxidase inhibitors. The hydrazides were synthesized from the aryl and arylalkylesters and hydrazine. From these hydrazides the isopropylidene derivatives were prepared by refluxing with acetone. Reduction of the isopropylidene hydrazides, using hydrogen and 5 per cent platinum‐on‐charcoal catalyst, gave the isopropyl hydrazides. The hydrazides prepared were of benzoic acid, phenylacetic acid, α‐naphthoic acid, β‐naphthoic acid, α‐naphthylacetic acid, and β‐naphthylacetic acid.