The present invention provides a method for producing optically active
flurbiprofen. The method of the present invention includes mixing racemic
flurbiprofen and (S)- or (R)-3-methyl-2-phenylbutylamine in an organic
solvent to produce a diastereomeric salt; and treating the diastereomeric
salt with an acid in a second solvent. In the method of the present
invention, flurbiprofen having a desired absolute configuration can be
obtained very efficiently without repeating the procedure for optical
resolution a plurality of times.