Disclosed are compounds of the formula ##STR1##

and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof where the variables R₁, R₂, A, R₄, R₅, R₆, R₆, n, and W are defined herein. These compounds bind to the benzodiazepine site of GABA_A receptors are provided and, therefore can be used to modulate ligand binding to GABA_A receptors in vivo or in vitro, and are particularly useful in the treatment of a variety of central nervous system (CNS) disorders in humans, domesticated companion animals and livestock animals.