Enantioselective Epoxidation of Allylic Alcohols by a Chiral Complex of Vanadium: An Effective Controller System and a Rational Mechanistic Model

Bishydroxamic acid derivatives are used as ligands for a vanadium catalyst in the preparation of epoxy alcohols (see scheme). The methodology uses aqueous tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) as an achiral oxidant, low catalyst loading, low reaction temperatures (0 °C to room temperature), and simple workup procedures. The reaction is applied to the kinetic resolution of a secondary allylic alcohol and the preparation of small epoxy alcohols. R1, R2, R3: alkyl, aryl, H.