Abstract 2-Substituted secondary alcohol o-DPPB esters (o-DPPB= ortho- diphenylphosphanylbenzoyl) have been prepared and their o-DPPB-directed diastereoselective hydroformylation examined. It was found that the diastereoselectivity increased as a function of the steric demand of the substituents both at the stereogenic center and in the alkene 2-position. Hydrolytic cleavage of the o-DPPB group afforded— ...