The present invention relates generally to novel methods for the synthesis of cyclopropylacetylene which is an essential reagent in the asymmetric synthesis of (S)-6-chloro-4-cyclopropylethynyl-4-trifluoromethyl-1,4-dihydro-2H-3,1-ben zoxazin-2-one; a useful human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) reverse transcriptase inhibitor.