Although enantiomers normally have identical spectra, several methods for measurement of optical purity using NMR are possible: forming diastereomeric derivatives using chiral solvents and complexation with chiral reagents especially lanthanide shift reagents. The major limitation of these techniques as quantitative methods is the small chemical shift differences observed. However, with the availability of a wide range of lanthanide shift reagents, this problem is overcome. Several examples are cited for optical purity determinations of several pharmaceuticals using lanthanide shift reagents.