To provide a method for producing an optically active diol compound useful as an intermediate for medicines and agrochemicals in high optical purity.high yield.

This method for producing the optically active 1,2- disubstituted-2,3-dihydroxypropane of the general formula 8 {A is a group of the general formula 2 [R1 is H, a 1 to 4C alkyl or a 2 to 5C alkenyl/alkynyl; Q is a halogen, a 1 to 3C alkyl/haloalkyl, a 1 to 5c alkoxy, nitro or cyano; (n) is an integer of 0 to 4] or a group of the formula 3: CX13(CX22)p [X1 and X2 are each independently a halogen or hydrogen; (p) is 0 to 2]: and B is an aryl which may be substituted}, comprises reacting the corresponding racemate with a carboxylic acid, its halide or anhydride in the presence of an optically active nucleophilic catalyst to produce the optically active 1,2-disubstituted-2,3- dihydroxypropane compound of the general formula 7 and its monoester of the general formula 6 which are optical antipodes, respectively, and then collecting the optically active 1,2-disubstituted-2,3-dihydroxypropane compound or subjecting the monoester to a solvolysis reaction.