A process for the resolution of a racemic mixture of nucleoside
enantiomers that includes the step of exposing the racemic mixture to an
enzyme that preferentially catalyzes a reaction in one of the
enantiomers. The nucleoside enantiomer
(-)-2-hydroxymethyl-5-(5-fluorocytosin-1-yl)-1,3-oxathiolane is an
effective antiviral agent against HIV, HBV, and other viruses replicating
in a similar manner.