PROCESS FOR PREPARING 1 - BENZYL - AMINOALKYL - PRROLIDINONES

Compounds of the formula wherein R1 is hydrogen or alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms; R2 is 2-, 3- or 4-pyridyl, phenyl or mono- or disubstituted phenyl, where the substituents are each individually alkoxy of 1 to 2 carbon atoms, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, trifluoromethyl, alkyl or 1 to 4 carbon atoms, hydroxyl or nitro; and R3 and R4 are each independently hydrogen or alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms; or R3 and R4, together with each other and the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, form an unsubstituted or methyl-substituted, saturated 5- or 6-membered heterocycle which may contain an additional oxygen or nitrogen heteroatom, or form an imidazole ring; where the aminomethyl substituent is attached to the 4- or 5-position or the pyrrolidine ring, and non-toxic, pharmacologically acceptable acid addition salts thereof. The compounds as well as the salts are useful as nootropics and antihypoxics.