A process for preparing optically active 2,3-dihydrobenzofuran compounds which comprises subjecting a 2,3-dihydrobenzofuran compound represented by the general formula or a salt thereof to optical resolution with an optically active acid compound: ##STR00001## [wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are each hydrogen or an optionally substituted hydrocarbon group; R.sup.3 is an optionally substituted aromatic group; and C is a benzene ring which may further have a substituent in addition to the amino group]. The process enables industrially advantageous production of intermediates for the synthesis of optically active 2,3-dihydrobenzofuran compounds useful as preventive and/or therapeutic drugs for neurodegenerative diseases and so on.