Rhodococcus sp. CGMCC 4911 transformed 1,3-propanediol cyclic sulfate (1,3-PDS) and its derivatives into corresponding diols. Ethylene sulfate, glycol sulfide, 1,3-PDS, and 1,2-propanediol cyclic sulfate were effectively hydrolyzed with growing cells. (R)-1,2-Propanediol (> 99 % e.e.) was obtained at 44 % yield with growing cells. Glycol sulfide, ethylene sulfate, and 1,3-PDS were converted into the corresponding diols at 94.6, 96.3, and 98.3 %, respectively. Optimal reaction conditions with lyophilized resting cells were 30 A degrees C, pH 7.5, and cell dosage 17.9 mg cell dry wt/ml. 1,3-Propanediol was obtained from 50 mM 1,3-PDS at 97.2 % yield by lyophilized cells after 16 h. Lyophilized cells were entrapped in calcium alginate with a half-life of 263 h at 30 A degrees C, and the total operational time of the immobilized biocatalysts could reach over 192 h with a high conversion rate.