The recently developed hydrolytic kinetic resolution (HKR) of epoxides catalysed by the Co-Jacobsen catalyst, is one of the most useful methods to obtain enantiomerically pure epoxides and/or diols. Several parameters can significantly influence the homogeneous reaction. Several factors including the used solvent, the activation of the catalyst and the use of surfactants, are investigated. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.