Iminium Salt Catalysts for Asymmetric Epoxidation: The First High Enantioselectivities

Abstract
A highly enantioselective iminium salt catalyst has been prepared and tested in the catalytic asymmetric epoxidation of unfunctionalized alkenes, giving up to 95% ee, the highest ee yet reported for iminium salt-catalyzed epoxidation. Catalyst loadings as low as 0.1 mol % may be used.