FOERFARANDE FOER SEPARERING AV R- OCH S-2,2-R1,R2-1,3-DIOXOLAN-4-KARBOXYLSYROR

A process is disclosed for preparing a 2,2-R1,R2-1,3-dioxolane-4-carboxylic acid or salt thereof rich in either the R or S enantiomer which process comprises a) preparing a solution which contains a non-racemic mixture of R and S enantiomer of a carboxylate of the formula and M ions, wherein R1 and R2 are each, independently, H or an unsubstituted or substituted alkyl group, or R1 and R2, together with the carbon atom to which they are attached, form an unsubstituted or substituted carbocyclic ring, and M is an alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal, a group IIb metal, boron, or an ammonium, di- or tri-alkanolammonium ion having 2 or 3 carbon atoms or a tetra C1-C16 alkyl ammonium ion, and n is the valency of M; b) reducing the solubility of the M salt of compound (I); and c) separating the resulting crystals from the mother liquor. e