(3aR,7R,7aR)-3a,6,7,7a-Tetrahydro-2,2-dimethyl-7-[(methylsulfonyl)oxy]-methyl ester 1,3-benzodioxole-5-carboxylic acid is used as a reactant in the preparation of aminocyclohexenylcarboxylates and related compounds as neuraminidase inhibitors.