Asymmetric catalysis with water: Efficient kinetic resolution of terminal epoxides by means of catalytic hydrolysis

Tokunaga, M; Larrow, JayF; Kakiuchi, F; Jacobsen, EN

HERO ID

4683808

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

1997

HERO ID 4683808
In Press No
Year 1997
Title Asymmetric catalysis with water: Efficient kinetic resolution of terminal epoxides by means of catalytic hydrolysis
Authors Tokunaga, M; Larrow, JayF; Kakiuchi, F; Jacobsen, EN
Journal Science
Volume 277
Issue 5328 (Aug 15
Page Numbers 936-938
Abstract Epoxides are versatile building blocks for organic synthesis. However, terminal epoxides are arguably the most important subclass of these compounds, and no general and practical method exists for their production in enantiomerically pure form. Terminal epoxides are available very inexpensively as racemic mixtures, and kinetic resolution is an attractive strategy for the production of optically active epoxides, given an economical and operationally simple method. Readily accessible synthetic catalysts (chiral cobalt-based salen complexes) have been used for the efficient asymmetric hydrolysis of terminal epoxides. This process uses water as the only reagent, no added solvent, and low loadings of a recyclable catalyst (<0.5 mole percent), and it affords highly valuable terminal epoxides and 1, 2-diols in high yield with high enantiomeric enrichment.
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Dupe Override No
Is Public Yes
Keyword Organic chemistry; Catalysts; Oxidation; 1997)