The use of fluorinated alcohols as solvents, cosolvents or additives in homogeneous catalysis is reviewed. The effect of these particular compounds on efficiency, regioselectivity and stereoselectivity of metal-catalyzed reactions, as well as on reactions mediated by organocatalysts, is described. Where available in several cases, the effect of fluorous alcohols on the catalytic mechanism is analyzed in detail and rationalized by their unique physical and chemical properties. In most instances, a comparison to the effect of commonly employed solvents is elaborated.

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Keywords: Phosphane ligands / P ligands / Density functional calculations / HydroformylationA new and facile method for the synthesis of 6H-dinaphtho-[c,e][1,2]oxaphosphinines starting from dinaphthol (BINOL) is described. The ring-opening of an intermediary dinaphtho[2,1-b;1Ј,2Ј-d]furan proceeds with extremely high diastereoselectivity and forms the thermodynamically most stable product. The stereochemistry was elucidated by 31 P NMR spectroscopy and X-ray structural analysis. Epimerization at the stereogenic P-centre did not take place. DFT calculations were performed to determine the dihedral

Lactic acid is an important building block for the production of biodegradable polymers (PLLA, PDLA, etc.) as well as starting material for the pharmaceutical industry. The current production of this chiral compound is dominated by fermentation processes. However many catalytic reactions that could be used for manufacturing lactic acid were developed in the past three decades. High reaction rates and simple separation of products in comparison to fermentation characterize many of these processes. Excellent stereoselectivities up to 99% ee could be achieved. This review aims to give a critical overview of chemical processes applying catalysis as an alternative for the production of both enantiomerically pure and racemic lactic acid and lactates. The efficiency and economy of these processes are analyzed.magnified image