Small molecule mGluR1 enhancers based on the lead compound (9H-xanthene-9-carbonyl)-carbamic acid butyl ester derived from random-screening hit diphenylacetyl-carbamic acid ethyl ester were designed and synthesized as useful pharmacological tools for the study of the physiological roles mediated by mGlu1 receptors. The synthesis and the structure-activity relationship of this new class of positive allosteric modulators of mGlu1 receptors will be discussed in detail. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.