Abstract: A multi-step process for the preparation of 1-[(amino - or substituted amino)methyl]-6-phenyl-4H-s-triazolo-[4,3-a][1,4]benzodiazepines of the formula VI: ##SPC1##wherein R' is hydrogen or alkyl of 1 to 3 carbon atoms, inclusive, and wherein the rings A and B are unsubstituted or substituted by one or two substituents selected from the group consisting of chloro, fluoro, bromo, nitro, and trifluoromethyl, which comprises: treating a compound of the formula I: ##SPC2##wherein rings A and B are defined as above, with acetic anhydride and formic acid to obtain compound II: ##SPC3##wherein A and B rings have the significance as above, treating compound II with sufficient formaldehyde to produce compound III, the 3,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)derivative of II; treating III with phthalimide, triphenylphosphine and diethyl azodicarboxylate to give compound IV, the 3,5-bis(phthalimidomethyl) derivative of II; and treating IV with hydrazine hydrate to obtain a compound of formula V ##SPC4##wherein rings A and B are defined, a

Abstract: Novel 6-substituted 4H-imidazo[1,2-a][1,4]benzodiazepines, the intermediate 5-substituted-2-(2-alkynylamino)-3H-1,4-benzodiazepines, pharmacologically acceptable acid addition salts thereof, and processes for their production. The compounds of this invention and the pharmacologically acceptable acid addition salts thereof are central nervous system depressants. They are useful as sedatives, hypnotics, tranquilizers, muscle relaxants and anticonvulsants, and also as feed additives for increasing growth rate and feed efficiency of livestock and poultry, milk production in the mammalian species and egg production in avian species.