Bite angle effects in hydroformylation catalysis

Recent advances in rhodium catalyzed hydroformylation using xanthene-based ligands will be reviewed. The calculated natural bite angles of the ligands discussed are in the range 100-123 degrees. While the general trend Is cle ar-higher 1 : b ratios at wider angles, snail changes in the bite angle do not exhibit a regular effect on the selectivity of the reaction. The same i s true for the fate of CO dissociation; the larger the rate of the CO disso ciation, the larger the rate of hydroformylation, but for small changes the effects do not comply with this rule.