Design and synthesis of stereochemically defined novel spirocyclic P2-ligands for HIV-1 protease inhibitors

The synthesis of a series of stereochemically defined spirocyclic compounds and their use as novel P2-ligands for HIV-1 protease inhibitors are described. The bicyclic core of the ligands was synthesized by an efficient nBu 3SnH-promoted radical cyclization of a 1,6-enyne followed by oxidative cleavage. Structure-based design, synthesis of ligands, and biological evaluations of the resulting inhibitors are reported.