Described herein are α3 or α2 or α2/α3 GABAergic receptor subtype selective ligands, pharmaceutical compositions, and methods of use of such ligands and compositions in treatment of anxiety disorders, epilepsy and schizophrenia with reduced sedative and ataxic side effects. In embodiments, such as α3 or α2 or α2/α3 GABAergic receptor subtype selective ligands lack ester linkages and may be thus relatively insensitive to hydrolysis by esterases.