In this paper, the synthetic method of the novel chiral intermediate, 5-(l-menthyloxy)-3-bromo-2(5H)-furanone (5a) possessing special structural properties and asymmetric reaction of 5a are investigated. The epimeric mixture of 5-(l-menthyloxy)-3-bromo-2(5H)-furanone (5a+5b) was prepared in 92% yield via bromination of epimeric mixture of 5-(l-menthyloxy)-2(5H)-furanone (3a+3b) followed by elimination of hydrogen bromide. After 2-3 recrystallizations from petroleum ether, the optically pure 5a was obtained in 46% yield with d.e≥98%. Its structure and configuration wee established on the basis of the analytical and spectroscopic data, such as [α]D~2~0, UV, IR, ^1H NMR, ^1^3C NMR, MS and X-ray crystallography.

Key words: FURANONE P, BROMINE COMPOUNDS, CRYSTAL STRUCTURE, BICYCLIC COMPOUND