Diphenylhydantoin and Diazepam: Molecular Structure Similarities and Steric Basis of Anticonvulsant Activity

Abstract
Diphenylhydantoin and diazepam are two useful antiepileptic drugs. Though not obviously related chemically, their molecular conformations exhibit marked similarities. These similarities indicate a steric basis for their anticonvulsant activity and lead to conclusions about the receptor sites for this type of pharmaceutical.