The synthesis of (S)-1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)butane-4-ol 1 an acycli
c analogue of hydroxy norphos is described, starting from L-ascorbic a
cid. Problems which arose during the cleavage of OH-protective groups
in the presence of phosphino groups are discussed. The hydrogenation p
roperties of the catalyst derived from the new ligand are compared wit
h those obtained with hydroxy norphos.(1)