Abstract Ethyl 2-acetylalkanoate gave ethyl 2-(methyl-or phenylthio) alkanoate in high yield on treatment wiht CH 3 SSO 2 CH 3, PhSSO 2 Ph, or PhSSPh in the presence of small excess of EtONa in EtOH. Application of the present method to synthesis of pellitorine and the queen substance is also described.