The scope and limitation of high pressure for the catalysis of organic reactions is evaluated. This article focuses on Lewis acid (cycloadditions, epoxide openings, Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons reactions) and palladium catalyzed (Heck-reaction, [3+2] cycloadditions) reactions. Aspects of reactivity (turnover frequencies and turnover rates) as well as selectivity (chemoselectivity, regioselectivity, diastereo-and cuantioselectivity) under the influence of pressure will be discussed.