7-Bromo-5-(2'-chlorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-2H-1,4-benzodiazepin-2-one (I), a new tranquillizing agent: metabolism in rats.

1. After intraperitoneal injection of rats with the new benzodiazepine (compound I), four metabolites (compounds II, III, IV and V) were found in the urine. 2. Compound II was identified as 7-bromo-5-(2'-chlorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-3-hydroxy-2H-1,4-benzodiazepin-2-one by comparison of g.l.c. and mass spectral properties of the metabolite and synthetic compound. 3. Mass spectra of compound III and its acid hydrolysis products indicate that compound III contains a hydroxyl group in the C(5)-phenyl ring. 4. Compounds IV and V were identified by mass spectrometry as products of simultaneous aromatic hydroxylation and methoxylation of the diazepine I. 5. The major urinary excretion products are compounds III, IV and V. Only very small amounts of compounds I and II were detected.