Ocinaplon has a similar pharmacological profile to the benzodiazepine family of drugs, but with mainly anxiolytic properties and relatively little sedative or amnestic effect.

[1] A 2019 review found tentative evidence of benefit in anxiety.

[4] Development of ocinaplon is discontinued due to liver complications that occurred in one of the Phase III subjects.

[5] Condensation of 4-Acetylpyridine[8] with N,N-Dimethylformamide dimethyl acetal (DMFDMA) gives the "enamide" (3).

[9][10] This is the same intermediate as was used in the synthesis of zaleplon in which the nitrile is replaced by a 2-acetylpyridil moiety.