Abstract Pure (E)-or (Z)-enoylsultams 2 were Oxidized with OsO 4/N-Methylmorpholine N- oxide in a stereospecific and highly π-face-selective manner. Acetalization of the resulting 1, 2-diols furnished, after purification, the stable, crystalline acetals 6 in> 99% de and in 63– 74% overall yield from 2. Reductive or hydrolytic cleavage of 6 gave enantiomerically pure alcohols 8 or carboxylic acids 9 with recovery of the sultan auxiliary 1.