A process for preparing a compound of formula (III) comprising condensing an oxiranyl compound of formula (I) with an amine of formula (II) or a salt thereof wherein: R1 is a group selected from alkyl, aryl, allyl, alkoxy, cycloalkyl, heterocyclic, alkenyl, benzocycloalkyl, aralkyl, haloarylalkyl, heteroaralkyl, haloalkyl, alkoxyaralkyl, substituted silyl and benzyl; and R2 is hydrogen, optionally substituted silyl or optionally substituted benzyl. There is also described a process for preparing (R,R)-carmoterol from compound (III).