Racemic trans-4-(1-benzyloxycarbonylaminoethyl)cyclohexanecarboxylic acid (I) was resolved using D-(+)-alpha-phenethylamine. The desired (R)-isomer (II) was activated as the corresponding acid chloride (III), which was further coupled with 4-aminopyridine (IV), yielding amide (V). The benzyloxycarbonyl protecting group of (V) was finally removed by treatment with HBr in HOAc.