An efficient chiral synthesis of fluoro-containing amino acids: N-benzyloxycarbonyl-2-amino-4,4-difluorobutyric acid methyl ester and its analogs

Fluoro-containing amino acids, N-benzyloxycarbonyl-2-amino-4,4-difluorobutyric acid methyl ester and analogs, were prepared in high enantiomeric excess. Incorporation of 2-amino-4,4-difluoro butyric acid as P1 group provided a potent HCV NS3 protease inhibitor.