The instant invention is a route to stereospecific 3-substituted 5-membered ring isomers of Formula (A). The final products are useful as agents in the treatment of epilepsy, faintness attacks, hypokinesia, cranial disorders, neurodegenerative disorders, depression, anxiety, panic, pain, neuropathological disorders, gastrointestinal disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammation especially arthritis, sleep disorders, premenstrual syndrome, and hot flashes. The invention provides novel routes to synthesize stereoselectively analogs of gabapentin (Neurontin™) of Formulas (I), (II), (III), and (IV) wherein R is C1-C10 alkyl or C3 -C10 cycloalkyl and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.