Abstract: The present invention relates to a new process for the preparation of optically active alcohols represented by the general formula 2 and their esters represented by the general formula 3 by enzymatic method from racemic alcohols represented by the general formula 1 in scheme 1. In more details, this invention relates to a process for producing optically active alcohols and their esters which are used as pharmaceutical intermediates from alcohols represented by the general formula 1 by stereospecific transesterification of secondary hydroxyl group using lipases as catalyst with acyl donors in organic solvent or with acyl donors only without using organic solvent. According to this invention, optically active alcohols and esters of high optical purity in high yield can be produced by transforming the primary hydroxyl group of 1,2-diols by tosyl group and transesterifying the secondary hydroxyl group stereospecifically by lipase.