(S)-2-[4'-(2''-Methylpropyl)phenyl]propanoic acid (ibuprofen) and (S)-2-(3'-benzoylphenyl)propanoic acid (ketoprofen) have been synthesis in high enantiomeric excess. Control of the stereochemistry was achieved by a combination of Sharpless epoxidation followed by catalytic hydrogenolysis of the introduced benzylic epoxide oxygen bond.