Inhibition of interleukin-1β converting enzyme by N-acyl-aspartyl aryloxymethyl ketones

The synthesis of N-allyloxy-aspartyl aryloxymethyl ketones and their evaluation as inhibitors of interleukin-1β converting enzyme (ICE) are described. 3-Substituted 2-naphthyloxymethyl ketones were found to have Kiʹs of 90–500 nM. The SAR suggests that the substituents on the aryloxy group may have a specific binding interaction in the active site of ICE.