Inhibition of human leukocyte elastase. 5. Inhibition by 6-alkyl substituted penem benzyl esters.

Penem benzyl esters substituted at the 6-position with small alkyl groups and at the 3-position with a variety of carbon and heteroatom groups were prepared as inhibitors of human leukocyte elastase (HLE). The structure activity relations found for these positions are discussed in relation to know cephalosporin inhibitors and some important stereochemical implications are reported for inhibition of HLE by these β-lactam structures.