1,2,5,6-Tetra-O-benzyl- -mannitol derivatives as novel HIV protease inhibitors

The synthesis and structure–activity relationships of HIV protease inhibitors derived from carbohydrate alditols are discussed. We disclose a new series of 1,2,5,6-tetra-O-alkyl- -mannitol exhibiting sub-micromolar activity against HIV-protease. This series of inhibitors are non-nitrogen containing HIV-protease inhibitors and they are readily prepared in a few chemical steps from inexpensive commercially available starting materials.