Four DCK-thiolactone analogs (3-6) were synthesized asymmetrically and
evaluated for anti-HIV activity against HIV-1 replication in H9 lymph
ocyte cells. Based on the functionality on the thiolactone-coumarin nu
cleus, activity was in the order: methyl > H > propyl > benzyl. -3',4'
-di-O-(-)-camphanoyl-(+)-cis-khelthiolactone (4) exhibited extremely p
otent anti-HIV activity with EC50 and therapeutic index values of 0.00
718 mu M and > 21,300, respectively. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. Al
l rights reserved.