The four stereoisomeric 3-bromo-2-butanols and/or their acetates were prepared via lipase-catalysed kinetic resolution by hydrolyses of the acetates of the (+/-)-syn- and (+/-)-anti-3-bromo-2-butanols, or via esterifications of the alc hols. The diastereomeric bromoacetates were obtained by syntheses from the dl- and meso-2,3-butanediols, respectively. On a preparative scale, the four stereoisomers, either as the free alcohols or as their acetates, were obtained in > 95% ee, and in 35-40% yield (based on the starting racemates).