A potent (ICs0= 30 nM), specific nonnucleoside HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT) inhibitor 3- [N-(phthalimidomethyl) aminol-5-ethyl-6-methylpyridin-2 (1H)-one (l), was discovered through an in vitro screening program. This compound did not inhibit (ICs0> 300 pm) other DNA and RNA polymerases, including HIV-2 RT and SIV-RT. Unfortunately, hydrolytic instability of this (aminomethy1) phthalimide precluded use as an antiviral agent. In the ...