Hydrochloric Acid → (1R,2S)-Methyl 1-amino-2-vinylcyclopropanecarboxylate hydrochloride

Compound 20a (39.96 g, 165.7 mmol) was dissolved in dioxane (25 mL) and the solution added dropwise with stirring to 4 N HCl in dioxane (Aldrich, 250 mL). After 45 min, TLC analysis indicated complete deprotection. Volatiles were removed under reduced pressure, and the residue co-evaporated twice with MeOH (2×100 mL). Ether (300 mL) and MeOH (10 mL) were added to the brown, oily residue and the mixture stirred overnight at room temperature resulting in the precipitation of a semi-solid. Additional MeOH (15 mL) was added and stirring continued for 6 h, at which point a yellowish solid was collected by filtration. The product was washed with 5% MeOH in ether (50 mL) and ether (2×50 mL), and dried in vacuo to give compound 20b as a yellowish solid (22.60 g, 76% yield). Filtrates (including washings) were evaporated in vacuum to give additional 20b as a brown oil (7.82 g, 26% yield). Both fractions were pure enough for use in the synthesis of HCV protease inhibitors: [a]D25+38.2° (c 1.0, MeOH).