Rhodium acetate-catalyzed aerobic Mukaiyama epoxidation of alkenes

Mukaiyama epoxidation of alkenes under oxygen catalyzed by rhodium acetate with isobutyraldehyde as the reducing agent is as or more effective than previously reported procedures. A variety of alkenes, including terpenes and cholesterol derivatives, were oxidized. And high regioselectivity for mono-epoxidation was observed with neryl, geranyl, and linalyl acetates. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.