Asymmetric epoxidation of α-substituted acroleins catalyzed by diphenylprolinol silyl ether.

Asymmetric epoxidation of α-substituted acroleins with hydrogen peroxide has been catalyzed by diphenylprolinol diphenylmethylsilyl ether to afford α-substituted-β,β-unsubstituted-α,β-epoxy aldehyde with excellent enantioselectivity and the generation of a chiral quaternary carbon center. The method was applied to a short synthesis of (R)-methyl palmoxirate.