Abstract: The present invention encompasses compounds of the formula: ##STR1## and pharmaceutically acceptable non-toxic salts thereof wherein: A represents nitrogen or C--H, andB represents nitrogen or C--H, with the proviso that when A is nitrogen, B is C--H, and when B is nitrogen, A is C--H;n is 0, 1, or 2;Y represents nitrogen or carbon, each of which is substituted with various organic or inorganic substituents;W represents an aromatic group unsubstituted or substituted with various organic or inorganic substituents; andR1 and R2 are the same or different and represent hydrogen or lower alkyl.These compounds are highly selective agonists, antagonists or inverse agonists for GABAa brain receptors or prodrugs thereof and are useful in the diagnosis and treatment of anxiety, sleep, and seizure disorders, overdose with benzodiazepine type drugs, and enhancement of alertness.