ABSTRACT
The pressure within modern society for reduction in the environmental impact of chemical processing presents new challenges for the synthetic organic chemist. Selectivity, for production of a desired product over side-products, or for production of one regio- or stereo-isomer instead of a mixture, becomes increasingly important. Solids can be of benefit by retaining spent reagents, catalysing a desired reaction at the expense of others, and/or providing a mechanism for enhancement of selectivity. Several selective reactions which make use of solids are reported and the roles played by the solids are discussed.
