The present invention relates to compounds of Formula (I): wherein R
1
is as defined in the claims. The compounds have specific affinity for the GABA
A
receptor and are therefore useful in the treatment and prevention of diseases modulated by the α
1
- and α
2
-GABA
A
receptors.
A facile and convenient protocol for the synthesis of cinnamides from cinnamic acids and tetraalkylthiuram disulfides under metal and additive free conditions has been achieved. This method allows the efficient coupling of diverse cinnamic acids with tetraalkylthiuram disulfides through a simply mixing operation.