First successful application of diphosphite ligands in the asymmetric hydroformylation of dihydrofurans.

Good enantioselectivities and excellent regioselectivities are achieved in the Rh-catalyzed asymmetric hydroformylation of 2,5- and 2,3-dihydrofuran using diphosphite ligands; whereby the backbone of the ligand is crucial to suppressing isomerization and obtaining high ee's.