A series of 2-(benzylthio)-6-oxo-4-phenyl-1,6-dihydropyrimidine as SARS-CoV 3CL protease inhibitors were developed and their potency was evaluated by in vitro protease inhibitory assays. Two candidates had encouraging results for the development of new anti-SARS compounds. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.