The synthesis of 6-phenyl-atevirdine (17), a lipophilic derivative of the potent HIV-1 reverse transcriptase inhibitor atevirdine (1), is described. The title compound was prepared from dithioacetale 2 via keteneaminal 4 and the nitropyridine derivative 10. Unexpectedly, no anti HIV activity was observed for the novel atevirdine derivative 17. The key intermediates 6, 8 and 10 could also be prepared