Opticallyactive γ-valerolactone and γ-nonanolactone have been synthesized via opticalresolutionusing a newly developed chiralamine derived from L-phenylalanine. Both racemic γ-lactones were transformed to corresponding diastereomeric amides by amidation with the opticalresolution agent. Fractional crystallization of diastereomeric amides, recrystallization of each diastereomer, and subsequent