N-Benzyl 2-acetamido-2-substituted acetamides, where the 2-substituent is a (hetero) aromatic moiety, are potent anticonvulsants. We report the synthesis and whole animal pharmacological evaluation of 16 analogues where the terminal 2-acetyl group was removed to give the corresponding primary amino acid derivatives (PAADs). Conversion to the PAAD structure led to a substantial drop in seizure protection in animal tests, ...