The Lewis-acidity of a series of bis-cationic Pt(II)(aqua) complexes bearing phosphane ligands was exploited to catalyze the conversion of dihydroxyacetone to ethyl lactate. The Pt(II) complex bearing 1, 2-bis(diphenylphosphanyl)ethane and triflate as counter anion showed high catalytic activity (TOF = 530 h(-1)) and chemoselectivity (>96%) at 70 degrees C. On intercalating the latter precatalyst between the lamellae of Na-montmorillonite by a cationic exchange process, high chemoselectivity for ethyl lactate (>99%) at 70 degrees C was observed, which was maintained in three consecutive catalytic runs. (C) 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.