Synthesis of Asymmetric Peptide Mimetic Compounds Containing Tartaric Acid Core. Potential Inhibitors of HIV-1 Protease

Dihydroxyethylene containing compounds, envisaged as aspartic protease inhibitors (cores), were easily synthesized in few steps, by a sequence involving ring opening of diacetyl tartaric anhydride, peptide coupling and de-esterification under basic conditions affording the desired diols in a simple and inexpensive method.