Highly Enantioselective Epoxidation of α,β-Unsaturated Ketones Catalyzed by Rare-Earth Amides [(Me₃Si)₂N]₃RE(μ-Cl)Li(THF)₃ with Phenoxy-Functionalized Chiral Prolinols

Chao Zeng, Dan Yuan, Bei Zhao* and Yingming Yao*

*College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Dushu Lake Campus, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, People's Republic of China, Email: zhaobeisuda.edu.cn, yaoymsuda.edu.cn

C. Zeng, D. Yuan, B. Zhao, Y. Yao, Org. Lett., 2015, 17, 2242-2245.

DOI: 10.1021/acs.orglett.5b00833

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Abstract

A simple and efficient enantioselective epoxidation of α,β-unsaturated ketones is catalyzed by rare-earth metal amides in the presence of phenoxy-functionalized chiral prolinols at room temperature using tert-butylhydroperoxide (TBHP) as the oxidant. The combination of an Yb-based amide and a chiral proligand provided chiral epoxides in excellent yields and enantiomeric excess of up to 99%.

see article for more examples

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Asymmetric Epoxidation of Unsaturated Ketones Catalyzed by Heterobimetallic Rare Earth-Lithium Complexes Bearing Phenoxy-Functionalized Chiral Diphenylprolinolate Ligand

Q. Qian, Y. Tan, B. Zhao, T. Feng, Q. Shen, Y. Yao, Org. Lett., 2014, 16, 4516-4519.

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Key Words

epoxidation, TBHP

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ID: J54-Y2015