Benzyl amide-ketoacid inhibitors of HIV-integrase.

Integrase is one of three enzymes expressed by HIV and represents a validated target for therapy. Previous reports have demonstrated that the diketoacid-based chemotype is a useful starting point for the design of inhibitors of this enzyme. In this study, one of the ketone groups is replaced by a benzylamide resulting in a new potent chemotype. A preliminary SAR study is carried out to investigate the substitution requirements on the phenyl ring and methylene group of the benzylamide.