Anxiolytic agents with reduced sedative and ataxic effects

A compound of formula VI, or a salt thereof,

• wherein:
• Y and Z are taken together with the two intervening carbon atoms to form a phenyl ring, which is substituted at the C(8) position with at least the substituent
• —C≡C—R, where R is H, Si(CH3)3, t-butyl, isopropyl, methyl, or cyclopropyl;
• R1 is one of H, CH3, CF3, CH2CH3, CH2CF3, or cyclopropyl;
• R2 is a substituted or unsubstituted at least partially unsaturated 5 membered or 6 membered carbocyclic ring or 5 membered or 6 membered heterocyclic ring having at least one heteroatom selected from N, O and S, wherein if substituted the substituent is one or more of F, Cl, Br, or NO2 at the 2′-position;
• R6 is a branched or straight chain C1 to C4 alkyl or a methyl cyclopropyl.

A compound of formula IX, or a salt thereof,

• wherein:
• n is 0 to 4;
• Y and Z are taken together with the two intervening carbon atoms to form a phenyl ring, which is substituted at the C(8) position with at least the substituent
• —C≡C—R, where R is H, Si(CH3)3, t-butyl, isopropyl, methyl, or cyclopropyl;
• Y′ and Z′ are taken together with the two intervening carbon atoms to form a phenyl ring, which is substituted at the C(8)′ position with at least the substituent
• —C≡C—R′, where R′ is H, Si(CH3)3, t-butyl, isopropyl, methyl, or cyclopropyl;
• R1 and R1′ are independently one of H, CH3, CF3, CH2CF3, CH2CH3, or cyclopropyl;
• R2 and R2′ are independently a substituted or unsubstituted at least partially unsaturated 5 membered or 6 membered carbocyclic ring or 5 membered or 6 membered heterocyclic ring having at least one heteroatom selected from N, O and S, wherein if substituted the substituent is one or more of F, Cl, Br, or NO2 at the 2′-position.

A compound of formula X, or a salt thereof,

• wherein:
• Y and Z are taken together with the two intervening carbon atoms to form a phenyl ring, which is substituted at the C(8) position with at least the substituent
• —C≡C—R, where R is H, Si(CH3)3, t-butyl, isopropyl, methyl, or cyclopropyl;
• Y′ and Z′ are taken together with the two intervening carbon atoms to form a phenyl ring, which is substituted at the C(8)′ position with at least the substituent
• —C≡C—R′, where R′ is H, Si(CH3)3, t-butyl, isopropyl, methyl, or cyclopropyl;
• R1 and R1′ are independently one of H, CH3, CF3, CH2CH3, CH2CF3 or cyclopropyl;
• R2 and R2′ are independently a substituted or unsubstituted at least partially unsaturated 5 membered or a 6 membered carbocyclic ring or 5 membered or 6 membered heterocyclic ring having at least one heteroatom selected from N, O and S, wherein if substituted the substituent is one or more of F, Cl, Br, or NO2 at the 2′-position;
• B is O or NH and wherein —BCH2B— is optionally replaced with —N(R7)—N(R7)—, where R7 is one of H, CH3, alkyl, or cycloalkyl.

A compound of formula XI, or a salt thereof,

• wherein:
• n is 1 or 2
• Y and Z are taken together with the two intervening carbon atoms to form a phenyl ring, which is substituted at the C(8) position with at least the substituent
• —C≡C—R, where R is H, Si(CH3)3, t-butyl, isopropyl, methyl, or cyclopropyl;
• Y′ and Z′ are taken together with the two intervening carbon atoms to form a phenyl ring, which is substituted at the C(8)′ position with at least the substituent
• —C≡C—R′, where R′ is H, Si(CH3)3, t-butyl, isopropyl, methyl, or cyclopropyl;
• R1 and R1′ are independently one of H, CH3, CF3, CH2CH3, CH2CF3 or cyclopropyl;
• R2 and R2′ are independently a substituted or unsubstituted at least partially unsaturated 5 membered or 6 membered carbocyclic ring or 5 membered or 6 membered heterocyclic ring having a heteroatom selected from N, O and S, wherein if substituted the substituent is one or more of F, Cl, Br, or NO2 at the 2′-position;
• B is O, NH, or —N(R7)—N(R7)—, where R7 is one of H, CH3, alkyl, or cycloalkyl.