Asymmetric epoxidation of α,β-unsaturated ketones via an amine-thiourea dual activation catalysis

Abstract

A simple asymmetric epoxidation method is developed to effectively synthesize chiral α-carbonyl epoxides through an amine-thiourea dual activation catalysis. In this method, TBHP, as an oxidant, determined the reaction rate, and the chiral amine-thiourea catalyst effectively controlled the stereoselectivity of the reaction, and KOH promoted deprotonation. 22 examples of α,β-unsaturated ketones with various substituent groups are smoothly converted into α-carbonyl epoxides with moderate to excellent enantiomeric excess.