Abstract: A method is disclosed for making a basically-substituted phenylacetonitrile of the formula ##STR1## which comprises hydrolyzing a nitriloaldehyde acetal of the formula ##STR2## with aqueous acid to obtain a nitriloaldehyde of the formula ##STR3## and then subjecting said nitriloaldehyde to a hydrogenating condensation with an amine of the formula ##STR4##

Abstract: 1-Aryl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-1,5-benzodiazepin-2-ones of the general formula ##STR1## wherein: R.sub.1 is hydrogen, or unsaturated lower alkyl, preferably of 1-3 carbons, or unsaturated lower alkyl preferably of 2 - 3 carbonsR.sub.2, r.sub.3, r.sub.4, r.sub.5 are the same or different and are each hydrogen, halogen, lower alkyl, preferably methyl, lower alkoxy, preferably methoxy, or trifluromethyl, andR.sub.6, r.sub.7, r.sub.8, r.sub.9 are the same or different and are each hydrogen or lower alkyl, preferably methyl.The compounds are prepared by dehydrohalogenating substituted 2-(3'-halogenopropionylamino)-diphenyl amines of the general formula ##STR2## wherein R.sub.2 to R.sub.9 are the same as defined above and X is halogen, in the presence of a solvent and a base, to cyclize the amines and then alkylating to introduce the unsaturated lower alkyl radical R.sub.1 on the nitrogen in the 5 position, if necessary. The compounds possess anticonvulsant, sedative and muscle relaxant properties.