Asymmetric synthesis of intermediates for retroviral protease inhibitor compounds

摘要

The disclosure describes an improved process for producing optically active compounds of Formula II or III, which compounds are useful as intermediates for preparing compounds active as inhibitors of retroviral protease enzymes: <IMAGE> Formula II or <IMAGE> Formula III wherein R1, R50 and Z are described in the specification. The improved process includes either synthesis of diastereomeric iodolactones which are separated prior to conversion to compounds of Formula II or III or synthesis of an epoxide which is converted directly to compounds of Formula II and III.