Evaluation of substituted benzamides as P2 ligands for symmetry-based inhibitors of HIV protease

Substituted benzamides were evaluated as P2 ligands for symmetry-based HIV protease inhibitors. In contrast to previous reports, 2-methyl substitution provided only a modest potency increase in combination with hydrogen bonding groups at the 3-position. Furthermore, hydrogen bonding functionality at the 4-position was well tolerated and independent of substitution at the 3-position.