A method of production of optically active compounds, particularly halohydrocarbons, haloalcohols, alcohols, halopolyols and polyols using hydrolytic dehalogenation of racemic or prochiral halegenhydrocarbons by dehalohenation catalysed by haloalkane dehalogenases (the enzyme code number EC 3.8.1.5) where at least one wild type or modified haloalkane dehalogenase is applied to at least one racemic or prochiral chlorinated, brominated or iodinated compound at the temperature ranged between +10 and +70.degree. C. and pH value between 4.0 and 12.0, in aqueous system or in a monophasic organic solution or in a monophasic organic/aqueous solution or in organic/aqueous biphasic systems.