The application of a zinc carbenoid-mediated chain-extension reaction to a functionalized peptide isostere is reported. The cleavage site of human CVM protease was utilized as a target for testing the synthetic methodology. The utility of this chain-extension reaction is demonstrated in the preparation of an amino acid-derived alpha-unsubstituted gamma-keto ester, which is incorporated into a framework that mimics a tetrapeptide. The identification of a suitable protecting group strategy facilitated the application of a tandem reaction for the incorporation of an alpha-side chain, and the use of an oxazolidinone auxiliary provided excellent diastereocontrol in a tandem chain-extension-aldol reaction. Stereoselectivity of the tandem chain-extension-aldol reaction was determined through application of a CAN-mediated oxidative cleavage reaction.