Synthesis of enantiomerically pure cis and trans 2-aminocyclopentanecarboxylic acids. Use of proline replacements in potential HIV-protease inhibitors

The synthesis of the four diastereomeric 2-aminocyclopentanecarboxylic acids, their use as replacements for proline in potential HIV protease inhibitors containing a hydroxyethylamine dipeptide isostere and the evaluation of the biological activity of these is described.