Optically pure(-)-and (+)-$alpha$-hydroxy-$alpha$-(p-chlorobiphenyl)acetic acids were prepared. The racemate was synthesized through three steps. By condensation of p-cnorobiphenyl with diethyl ketomalonate in the presence of SnCl$_{4}$, diethyl $alpha$-hydroxy-$alpha$-(p-chlorobiphenyl)malonate (1) was formed and subsequently ($pm$)-$alpha$-hydroxy-$alpha$-(p-chlorobiphenyl)acetic acid (3) was obtained through hydrolysis and decarboxylation. For the separation of the racemate the classical resolution method, derivatization of a racemate by reaction with an optically pure compound was employed. In this case the optically pure compound were [R]-(+)-$alpha$-methylbenzylamine and [S]-(-)-$alpha$-methylbenzylamine. Diastereomeric salts between acids and bases could be easily separated by crystallization in absolute ethanol.