Compounds of the formula I:
##STR1##
wherein:
A' and A" are independently the same or different group of the formula II:
##STR2##
wherein:
R' is H. CH.sub.3, C(CH.sub.3).sub.2, --OR.sup.a, --N(R.sup.a).sub.2,
--N(R.sup.a)OR.sup.a or --DP
R'" is H or CH.sub.3 ; R.sup.a is H, C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 alkyl;
D is a bond, alkylene, --C(.dbd.O)--, --S(O)-- or --S(O).sub.2 --;
P is an optionally substituted, mono or bicyclic carbo- or heterocycle;
R" is H, any of the sidechains found in the natural amino acids,
carboxacetamide, or a group (CH.sub.2).sub.n DP;
M is a bond or --C(.dbd.O)N(R'")--;
Q is absent, a bond, --CH(OH)-- or --CH.sub.2 --;
or R" together with Q , M and R' define an optionally substituted 5 or 6
membered carbo- or heterocyclic ring which is optionally fused with a
further 5 or 6 membered carbo- or heterocyclic ring;
with the proviso that R' is --OR.sup.a, --N(R.sup.a).sub.2,
--N(R.sup.a)OR.sup.a or --DP, if M is a bond and Q is absent;
X is H, OH, OCH.sub.3 ;
Y is H, OH, OCH.sub.3, but X and Y are not both H;
Z' and Z" are independently --(CH.sub.2).sub.m P where P is as defined
above;
n and m are independently 0,1 or 2;
and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and prodrugs thereof have utility as
aspartyl protease inhibitors of HIV. They can be prepared in a facile two
step synthesis from novel 2,5-di-O-benzyl-L-maannaro-1,4:6,3 dilactone
intermediates.
