The reaction of a variety of methyl esters with dimethylsulfoxonium methylide at 0-25° C affords the chain-extended β-keto dimethylsulfoxonium ylides. Subsequent treatment with hydrogen chloride in THF proceeds with loss of DMSO to afford the corresponding α- chloroketones. This sequence has been utilized to convert the methyl esters of CBZ- protected alanine and valine to the anti N-protected α-amino epoxides, which are ...