A short-step synthesis of (-)-(4R,5S)- and +)-(4S,5R)-trans-4,5-dihydr
oxy-2-cyclopenten-1-one derivatives (14) has been achieved via the enz
ymatic asymmetric transformations of meso-3,4,5-trans,trans-trihydroxy
cyclopentene derivatives 12 and 15, respectively.