Abstract: Biotechnological resolution by means of enzymatic transesterification of the relevant racemic mixture of the optical isomers of .alpha.-alkyl-substituted primary alcohols having the formula (I): ##STR1## wherein: R represents a linear or branched (C.sub.1 -C.sub.20)-alkyl or alkenyl group or an aryl group, also substituted or condensed with other groups, in particular a group of formula (II) or (III): ##STR2## wherein: R.sup.ii represents a (C.sub.1 -C.sub.8)-alkyl group, a (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4)-alkenyl group, an alkoxy, phenyl, phenoxy, benzoyl, or heterocyclic group;R.sup.iii represents a hydrogen or halogen atom;R.sup.iv represents a (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4)-alkyl group,and whereinR.sup.i represents a (C.sub.1 -C.sub.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for the biotechnological resolution, by enzymatic esterification of the corresponding racemic mixture of the S(+) and R(-) optical isomers of the oxazolidinonic compounds having formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R represents a, linear or branched, C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 alkyl group, which process is characterized in that, the racemic 3-alkyl-5-hydroxymethyl-oxazolidin-2-one derivative of formula (I) is reacted with an esterifying compound, selected from esters having formula (III): ##STR2## wherein R represents a, linear or branched, C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkyl or alkenyl group and R" represents a linear or branched, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl, alkenyl group, a haloalkyl (chlorine, bromine) group or a diacyl glycerolic group or from acids having formula (IV):R'"--COOH (IV)wherein R'" represents a, linear or branched, C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkyl or alkenyl group or from anhydrides having formula (V): ##STR3## wherein R.sup.IV represents a, linear or branched, C.sub.1 -C.sub.