The present invention provides a compounds the formula (IV): and methods for producing an &alpha；-(phenoxy)phenylacetic acid compound of the formula: wherein R1 is a member selected from the group consisting of: each R2 is a member independently selected from the group consisting of (C1-C4)alkyl, halo, (C1-C4)haloalkyl, amino, (C1-C4)aminoalkyl, amido, (C1-C4)amidoalkyl, (C1-C4)sulfonylalkyl, (C1-C4)sulfamylalkyl, (C1-C4)alkoxy, (C1-C4)heteroalkyl, carboxy and nitro； the subscript n is 1 when R1 has the formula (a) or (b) and 2 when R1 has the formula (c) or (d)； the subscript m is an integer of from 0 to 3； * indicates a carbon which is enriched in one stereoisomeric configuration； and the wavy line indicates the point of attachment of R1； and compounds.
