Epoxidation of α,β-Unsaturated Ketones with a Self-Supported BINOL-Zn Complex

Significance

Previously M. Bougauchi and co-workers have developed self-supported BINOL-La-Ph₃PO catalysts (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1997, 119, 2329) for asymmetric epoxidation of α,β-unsaturated ketones. In search of more efficient systems for this reaction, the authors have found Zn complexes using BINOL dimer. L1 produces an isolable white solid which is virtually insoluble in common organic solvents. This complex could catalyze the title reaction to provide epoxides in high yield and ee values. Further, the catalyst can be reused without significant loss of activity.