Reaction of 1-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-cyclopropyl-2-methyl-1-propanone (I) with lithiated (R)-1-methyl-4-(methylsulfinyl)benzene gives a 3:2 mixture of RR and SR addition product (II), which is separated by chromatography. The RR-diastereomer is reduced with acetyl chloride-sodium iodide in acetone and the resulting thioether (III) is cyclized to the oxirane (IV) by alkylation with triethyloxonium-tetrafluoroborate, followed by treatment with sodium hydroxide. Opening the oxirate with triazole in DMF in the presence of potassium carbonate and 18-crown-6 gives SDZ 89-485.