peptidomimetic compounds are described which inhibit the ns3 protease of the hepatitis c virus . the compounds have the formula where the variable definitions are as provided in the specification . the compounds comprise a carbocyclic p2 unit in conjunction with a novel linkage to those portions of the inhibitor more distal to the nominal cleavage site of the native substrate , which linkage reverses the orientation of peptidic bonds on the distal side relative to those proximal to the cleavage site .