Synthesis and anti-HCMV activity of 1-acyl-β-lactams and 1-acylazetidines derived from phenylalanine

Different Phe-derived 1-acyl-β-lactams, analogous to a series of 2-azetidinones acting as HCMV serine protease inhibitors, were synthesized. Some of these compounds were modest inhibitors of the HCMV replication. Interestingly, removal of the carbonyl group of the β-lactam ring, most likely acting as the serine trap, resulted in an azetidine derivative with anti-HCMV activity comparable to that of the reference compound ganciclovir.