Abstract: The invention relates to a novel process for the preparation of a chiral pyrollidine-2-yl-methanol derivative or a salt thereof of the formula I wherein R1 is aryl or heteroaryl and both aryl or heteroaryl are optionally substituted by C1-4-alkyl, halo-C1-4-alkyl, C1-4-alkoxy or halogen. The chiral pyrollidine-2-yl-methanol derivatives of the formula I are versatile building blocks in the synthesis of pharmacologically active compounds, such as for the stereospecific synthesis of oligonucleotides carrying chiral phosphonate moieties (see e.g. Int. PCT Publication WO 2010/064146).