Cyclic and bicyclic sulfates have been prepared from commonly available alc
ohols. Nucleophilic cleavage of the cyclic sulfates affords a new type of w
ater-soluble mono- and ditertiary phophines bearing -OSO3Li groups in disti
nguished positions in the molecular framework. Both phosphines have amphiph
ilic character. Reactions of the chiral 2 and the dppp analogue 5 with [Rh(
COD)Cl](2) and Pt(PhCN)(2)Cl-2 provide novel zwitterionic complexes. Rhodiu
m complexes of 2 and 5 have been successfully applied in liquid biphasic hy
droformylation of styrene and octene-1. When the rhodium complex of 5 was u
sed as catalyst in hydroformylation of styrene, less then 4 ppm rhodium cou
ld be detected in the organic phase.