Synthesis and anti-HIV activities of symmetrical N1,N3-dibenzyl-2-hydroxy-propane derivatives

We report the synthesis and the anti-HIV activities of new C2-symmetrical and achiral N1,N3-dibenzyl-2-hydroxy-propane isosteres. Some of them showed significant inhibitory activity with respect to HIV-infected MT4 cells (compound 6a and 7a, IC50 = 0.1 μM). These new structurally simple compounds represent new synthons which can be suitable for combinatorial chemistry purposes.