A series of 4(6)- and 5-phenyl-substituted 2-amino- and 2-[(alkoxycarbonyl)amino]-1,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidines were prepared and evaluated for central nervous system (CNS) effects in animal models. Several 5-phenyl-substituted compounds possessed potent antidepressant activity and all compounds in this series were devoid of significant activity in any of the other CNS (anticonvulsant, muscle relaxant, and depressant) assays. The most active compound in the in vivo screen for antidepressant activity (reversal of reserpine-induced hypothermia), 2-[(methoxycarbonyl)amino]-5-phenyl-1,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidine was considerably more potent than tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) standards. The 2-amino parent compound on the other hand was greater than 100-fold as effective as TCA's in in vitro inhibition of norepinephrine and dopamine uptake.