PURPOSE: To obtain the titled optically active compound useful as an intermediate for pharmaceuticals, agricultural chemicals or ferroelectric liquid crystals, from optically active 1,2-epoxyalkanes, with simple process, by reacting the epoxyalkane with a trialkylaluminum.

CONSTITUTION: The objective compound of formula (R is 1W14C alkyl; R' is 1W4C alkyl; R is 5W14C alkyl when R' is 4C n-alkyl) having optical activity can be produced with simple process, by reacting 1,2-epoxyalkanes having optical activity with a trialkylaluminum such as trimethylaluminum, triethylaluminum, tri-n-propylaluminum or tri-n-butylaluminum in an organic solvent (e.g. hexane, toluene, methylene chloride, diethyl ether, benzene, decane or tetradecane) at -78W+200°C, preferably -20W+100°C.