The conversion of (±)‐hydratropaoyl chloride into (S)‐(+)‐hydratropic acid (4) can be achieved with (S)‐(−)‐1‐phenylethanol (2) as chiral auxiliary agent in the following way: Generation of the ketene (1) from the acid chloride in situ, reaction with (S)‐(−)‐(2) in the presence of a base to give a mixture of the diastereomers (3) [with pyridine, e.g., (S,S) :(R,S) = 88 :12], hydrolysis of (S)‐(+)‐(4) with recovery of (S)‐(−)‐(2).