(3R, 4S)-3-Benzyl-4-bromomethyloxetan-2-one, a fast acting alternate substrate inhibitor of α-chymotrypsin

(3R,4S)-3-Benzyl-4-(bromomethyl)oxetan-2-one is a novel type of fast acting alternate substrate inhibitor for α-chymotrypsin. The hydroxyl group that is generated during the turnover process appears to be responsible for the high stability of the acyl enzyme intermediate.