The invention provides compounds and pharmaceutically acceptable salts of
Formula I ##STR00001## wherein the variables A.sub.1, A.sub.2, R.sub.1,
R.sub.2, V, W, X, Y, and Z are defined herein. Certain compounds of
Formula I described herein which possess potent antiviral activity. The
invention particularly provides compounds of Formula I that are potent
and/or selective inhibitors of Hepatitis C virus replication. The
invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions containing one or
more compound of Formula I, or a salt, solvate, or acylated prodrug of
such compounds, and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers,
excipients, or diluents.The invention further comprises methods of
treating patients suffering from certain infectious diseases by
administering to such patients an amount of a compound of Formula I
effective to reduce signs or symptoms of the disease or disorder. These
infectious diseases include viral infections, particularly HCV
infections. The invention is particularly includes methods of treating
human patients suffering from an infectious disease, but also encompasses
methods of treating other animals, including livestock and domesticated
companion animals, suffering from an infectious disease.Methods of
treatment include administering a compound of Formula I as a single
active agent or administering a compound of Formula I in combination with
on or more other therapeutic agent.