Sodium-E3-phenylglycidate (±)-2E was prepared using the Darzens' procedure. Classical resolution with 1-phenylethylamine afforded optically pure salts (+)-(2S, 3R)-2E and (-)-(2R, 3S)-2E. Alternatively,(±)-2E was converted into (±)-2Z by ring opening of ethyl ester (±) 1E with hydrogen bromide, followed by recyclization and saponification. Classical resolution of (±)-2Z with ephedrine afforded optically pure salts (+)-(2S, 3S)-2Z and (-)-(2R, 3R)-2Z ...