Sharpless kinetic asymmetric epoxidation on (±)-2-(1-hydroxyethyl)-5, 8-dimethoxy-3, 4- dihydronaphthalene [(8)] followed by LiAlH4 reduction gave R-(–)-2-(S-1-hydroxyethyl)-2- hydroxy-5, 8-dimethoxy-1, 2, 3, 4-tetrahydronaphthalene [(–)-(10)] and the undesired antipode: the former was converted into R-(–)-2-acetyl-2-hydroxy-5, 8-dimethoxy-1, 2, 3, 4- tetrahydronaphthalene [R-(–)-(3)] while the latter was epimerized and recycled.