| abstract |
Intermediates and a stereoselective process for preparing hydroxyethylene dipeptide isosteres and lactone compounds which process comprises, as an essential step, the stereoselective reduction of the keto group in a 5S-4-keto-5-dibenzylamino-6-phenylhexanal ethylene (or propylene) acetal. The intermediates and process of this invention are useful in the preparation of enzyme inhibitors, which are, in particular, active against the HIV-1 virus. |