A process for preparing regioselectively an optically active 1-halogeno-2-hydroxypropyl compound of the following formula;
- wherein X is halogen atom and Nu is a heteroatom having a substituent,
and an optically active glycidyl compound of the formula;
which comprises reacting an optically active epihalohydrin of the formula;
with a neucleophilic agent,
in the presence of a metal complex of the formula;
wherein n is an integer of 0, 1 or 2, Y1, Y2 and Y3 are hydrogen atom, etc., and Y2 and Y3 may form a ring such as benzene, A is a counterion and M is a metal ion, and further subjecting the compound (4) to reaction with a base to prepare the optically active glycidyl compound (5).