Abstract: The invention relates to a new process for preparing benzimidazole derivatives having a chiral sulfoxide group in enantiomerically pure form or in a form in which one of the two enantiomers is present in an increased quantity over the other enantiomer. The invention likewise relates to a process for preparing the salts of the individual enantiomers of the benzimidazole derivatives with a chiral sulfoxide group. The invention relates in particular to a process for preparing the S-enantiomer of omeprazole (also known as esomeprazole) and the salts thereof, more particularly the zinc salt of the S-enantiomer of omeprazole. In the new process a prochiral sulfide is oxidized in an organic solvent with an oxidizing agent in the presence of a titanium(IV) complex.