The invention relates to a process for L-Iditol by hydrogenating L-Sorbose. Further, the invention also relates to a use of a transition metal complex as hydrogenation catalyst for L-Sorbose. The invention relates to a process for the preparation of L-Iditol comprising at least one reaction step, in which a composition comprising L-Sorbose and hydrogen is reacted in the presence of a transition metal catalyst complex in a homogeneous solution, wherein the transition metal catalyst complex comprises at least one chiral ligand containing at least one phosphorus atom, which is capable of coordinating to the transition metal, and wherein the transition metal is selected from metals of groups 8, 9 and 10 of the periodic table of the elements according to IUPAC. The invention further relates to a use of a transition metal complex as defined above and below as hydrogenation catalyst for compositions comprising L-Iditol or mixtures thereof.
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