Novel benzthiodiazepinones as antiherpetic agents: SAR improvement of therapeutic index by alterations of the seven-membered ring.

A series of novel benzthiodiazepinones was studied as antiherpetic agents. Significant improvements in potency and therapeutic index in a viral replication assay were realized over the starting molecule. The role of stereospecific substitution on the diazepine ring and optimal nitrogen substitution were investigated.