A NOVEL METHOD FOR THE GENERATION OF (R)-3-CHLORO-1,2-PROPANEDIOL AND (S)-3-CHLORO-1,2-PROPANEDIOL BY STEREOSPECIFIC DEHALOGENATING BACTERIA AND THEIR USE IN THE PREPARATION OF (R)-GLYCIDOL AND (S)-GLYCIDOL

A novel and effective method for the preparation of highly pure optically active (R)- and (S)-3-chloro-1,2-propanediol (99.5% ee and 99.4% ee, respectively) was established based on stereospecific dehalogenation and assimilation with bacteria. From these intermediates highly pure optically active (R)- and (S)-glycidol (99.3% ee and 99.4% ee, respectively) were prepared.