Concise and efficient asymmetric synthesis of (S)-2-ethylphenylpropanoic acid derivatives: dual agonists for human peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha and delta.

Optically active (S)-2-ethylphenylpropanoic acid derivatives, dual agonists for human peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) alpha and delta, were efficiently prepared by using Evan's chiral oxazolidinone technique and reductive amide N-alkylation as key steps.