[Optically active barbiturates. Synthesis, configuration and pharmacological effects (author's transl)].

Optically active N-alkylated barbiturates are synthesized from disubstituted cyanoacetates. The configuration of the synthesized compounds is determined by chemical and chiroptical procedures and by X-ray analysis. In animals the barbiturates show a different anesthetic activity, in some cases the CNS activity is opposed, one enantiomer is anesthetically active, the other is a convulsive agent. In their pharmacokinetic behaviour the enantiomers show remarkable differences.