Efficient heterocyclization of methyl 7,7,7‐trifluoro‐4‐methoxy‐6‐oxo‐4‐heptenoate and methyl 7,7,7‐trichloro‐4‐methoxy‐6‐oxo‐4‐heptenoate into isoxazole and pyrazole derivatives that represent a new type of glutamate‐like 3‐(trihalomethylated‐1,2‐azol‐3‐yl)propanoate is reported. Preparation of the key methyl 7,7,7‐trihalo‐4‐methoxy‐6‐oxohept‐4‐enoate precursors from levulinic acid is also described. The synthetic potential of this synthetic protocol was indicated by the production of several methyl and ethyl 3‐(isoxazol‐3‐yl)propanoates and 3‐(1H‐pyrazol‐3‐yl)propanoates, and the respective acid derivatives, in good (70–95%) yields. The crystal structure for ethyl 5‐(3‐ethoxy‐3‐oxopropyl)‐1H‐pyrazole‐3‐carboxylate (10c) has been determined by monocrystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. The N–H…H intermolecular hydrogen bonds join the molecules into catamer.