2-Benzyl-1,3-propanediol is used as a reagent in the asymmetric synthesis of pseudosymmetric sulfoximine inhibitors against HIV-1 protease. Also used as a reagent in the synthesis of N-(3-acyloxy-2-benzylpropyl)-N'-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzyl)thiourea derivatives as potent vanilloid receptor agonists and analgesics.