Pharma & Specialty Chemical Standards

Aniracetam, IUPAC name (2-oxo-1-pyrrolidinyl)(phenyl)methanone, is a pyrrolidone derivative with molecular formula C13H16N2O2 and molecular weight 232.26 g/mol. Structurally, it features a pyrrolidone ring fused to a phenyl group via a methylene bridge. Therapeutically, it is investigated for cognitive enhancement and neuroprotection. Physicochemically, it is a white crystalline solid, slightly water-soluble, with a pKa of ~4.5. Mechanistically, it modulates AMPA glutamate receptors, enhances acetylcholine release, and exhibits neuroprotective effects via antioxidant pathways. Its lipophilicity facilitates blood-brain barrier penetration, contributing to nootropic activity.