1.3 Heteropoly Acids as Catalysts for Organic Reactions

Abstract Catalysis with heteropoly acids (HPA) is a field of growing importance. A brief discussion of structure and properties of HPA relevant to the topic is given. The use of HPA as acid catalysts for fine chemical synthesis is reviewed. A wide variety of syntheses of antioxidants, medicines, vitamins and other fine chemicals based on HPA catalysis in homogeneous and heterogeneous liquid-phase systems is discussed.