8-Methyl-and 8-hydroxymethyl-1, 1′-binaphthyl have been synthesised in the optically active state, and their Arrhenius parameters and transition-state theory (Eyring) functions for racemisation in solution determined. Optically active 8-bromomethyl-1, 1′-binaphthyl has also been prepared, but velocity constants for its racemisation could not be determined because it decomposes at the temperatures required. Optical stabilities of 1, 1′- ...