Enantioselective Epoxidation of Electron-Deficient Olefins: An Organocatalytic Approach

Versatile synthetic intermediates-alpha,beta-epoxyketones and alpha,beta-epoxyaldehydes-can be obtained through asymmetric organocatalytic epoxidation of alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones and aldehydes. This Review focuses on some recent advances in these epoxidation reactions with respect to scope and limitations with polyamino acids, phase-transfer catalysts (PTCs), amines, and guanidines as chiral organocatalysts. Furthermore, recent results obtained with chiral peroxides are discussed. DOI 10.1002/tcr.201000006