In a search for new cerebral protective agents with anti-anoxic (AA) and anti-lipid peroxidation (ALP) activities, a series of 4-arylpyrimidines, bearing an amino moiety in the C-5 position of the pyrimidine nucleus, was synthesized and tested for AA and ALP activities. Among them, 6-methyl-5-(4-methylpiperazin-1-ylcarbonyl)-4-(3-nitrophenyl)-2-phenylpyrimidine (41, FK360) was most effective on both assays and on arachidonate-induced cerebral edema in rats. Structure-activity relationships in regard to AA activity of this series of compounds are also discussed.