R₁ through R₅ are, independently, selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, OCF₃, OCF₂H, CF₃, NO₂, CN, CH₃CO, and SCH₃;

R₆ and R₇ are, independently, selected from the group consisting of lower alkyl, CF₃(CF_sH_r)_p and CF₃(CH_mF_q)_n;

n and p are, independently, 0 to 20;

m, q, r, and s are, independently, 0 to 2;

provided that m+q=2 and r+s=2;

said method comprising:

(a) reacting R₆CH₂CH₂X, wherein X is halogen, with P(R₈)₃, wherein R₈ is aryl or alkoxy, to form a compound of the structure:

(b) reacting the product of step (a) and a first base at a temperature of about −70° C. to about 25° C.;

(c) reacting the product of step (b) with YC(O)OR₉, wherein Y is halogen and R₉ is alkyl, at a temperature below about −20° C. to form a compound of the structure:

(d) isolating the product of step (c);

(e) reacting dehydrated R₇CHO, which is free of acidic impurities, and the product of step (d) to form a compound of the structure:

(f) hydrogenating the product of step (e) to form a compound of the structure:

(g) reacting the product of step (f) with a N,O-dialkylhydroxylamine hydrochloride and a second base to form a compound of the structure:

(h) reacting the product of step (g) with a first reducing agent to form a compound of the structure:

(i) reacting the product of step (h), a chiral auxiliary compound, and one or more of a Lewis acid and dehydrating agent, to form a compound of the structure:

(j) cyanating the product of step (i) to form a compound of the structure:

(k) reacting the product of step (j) and an aqueous acid;

(l) reacting the product of step (k) with R₁₀OH, where R₁₀ is alkyl, substituted alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, benzyl, or substituted benzyl, in the presence of an acid to form a compound of the structure:

(m) reacting the product of step (l) with a sulfonyl compound of the structure:

wherein, Z is halogen, to form a compound of the structure:

(n) reacting the product of step (m) with a second reducing agent; and

(o) quenching the reaction of step (n).