Regio- and stereoselective synthesis of vicinal fluorohydrins

Vicinal fluorohydrins are useful building blocks as well as important targets for synthesis of bioactive compounds or new materials. This review gives an overview on regio- and stereoselective, particularly enantioselective, syntheses of such compounds by building block methods, reduction of α-fluoro carbonyl compounds and ring opening of epoxides with hydrofluorinating reagents. Resolution of racemic vicinal fluorohydrins using enzyme-catalyzed reactions will also be discussed in detail.