The reaction of sodium pivalate with epichlorohydrin produced one equivalent of sodium chloride which was easily removed via filtration as a result of its low solubility. Next, the epichlorohydrin (bp 118 °C) was evaporated and collected. A high proportion of the theoretical amount was collected, an important consideration in rendering an economically viable synthesis (143 g, 87%). The residual crude glycidyl pivalate (33 g, 6% epichlorohydrin) was distilled twice at 50-70 °C under high vacuum (~6-10 Torr), resulting in 74% isolated yield of the pure glycidyl pivalate. The compound appeared to be temperature sensitive at high concentration, and thus heat history was minimized. The product showed high optical activity (-21.87, CHCl3, 25 °C) as compared to literature values for (S)-glycidyl pivalate (20.7); however, the sign of rotation was inverted indicating that the undesired (R)enantiomer had been made.