The present invention provides a compounds the formula (IV): and methods forproducing an .alpha.-(phenoxy)phenylacetic acid compound of the formula:wherein R1 is a member selected from the group consisting of: each R2 is amember 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)allcoxy, (C1-C4)heteroalkyl, carboxy and nitro； the subscript n is 1 when R1 has theformula (a) or (b) and 2 when R1 has the formula (c) or (d)； the subscript mis an integer of from O to 3； * indicates a carbon which is enriched in onestereoisomeric configuration； and the wavy line indicates the point ofattachment of R1； and compounds .
