1, IHenzodiazepine derivatives of the type la and It), synthesized by Sternbach, et aL, l have been sho\ vn to be very effective arixiolytic sedatives.* Thus, ne turned our attention for development of psychotropic agents to the synthesis of 1, 4-benzodiazepine derivatives having the new tricyclic ring system of the type I1 (X= 0 or S; iZ= straight or branched alkylene). The methodology of the molecular modification stems from an earlier\\-ork3 ...