An Efficient Method for Catalytic Asymmetric Reduction of Diketones and Application of Synthesis to Chiral 2,5- Diphenylpyrrolidine and 2,5-Diphenylthiolane

Asymmetric reduction of diketones with borane reagents generated in situ using cheap and available NaBH_4 andSnCl_2 in the presence of(S)-(-)-α,α-diphenyl-2-pyrrolidinemethanol was successfully achieved to yield the corre-sponding chiral diols with excellent stereoselectivity and enantioselectivity.And the chiral diol was transformedinto optically pure C_2-symmetricl chiral amine or thioether.     

Synthesis of New MeO-BIPHEP-type Chiral Diphosphines by an Improved Way

In this paper,a series of new optically active MeO-BIPHEP-type ligands,(S)-6,6'-dimethoxy-2,2'-bis(di-p-alkoxyphenyl-phosphine)-1,1'-biphenyl[(S)-5b—(S)-5e]were prepared and characterized.Starting from thecommercially available triethyl phosphorite and m-bromoanisole,an optically active(S)-6,6'-dimethoxybiphenyl-2,2'-diyl-bis(phosphonic acid diester)was prepared by an improved way and converted to the corresponding dichlo-rides,which was used as a key intermediate to react with p-alkoxybenzenemagnesium bromide or p-alkoxyphenyllithium to directly give the enantiomerically pure diphosphines 5.     

Synthesis of Chiral 2,5—Bis（oxazolinyl） thiophenes and Their Application as Chiral Shift Reagents for 1,1′—Bi—2—naphthol

A series of C2-symmetrical chiral 2,5-bis (4′-alkyloxazolin-2-yl) thiophenes (thiobox) have been synthesized from thiophene-2,5-dicarboxylic acid by sequential amidation with a chiral ethanolamine,conversion of hydroxyl to chloro group, and base-promoted oxazoline ring formation.As demonstrated by (-)-2,5-bis[4′-(S)-isopropyloxazolin-2′-yl] thiophene,these thiobox systems exhibited remarkable chirality recognition of 1,1′-bi-2-naphthol giving rise to pronounced shifts in the ^1H NMR signals of the latter axial chiral compound at the positions of C-3,C-4,C-5,and C-8.     

Chiral Borated Esters in Asymmetric Synthesis： 1. The First Asymmetric Reaction Catalyzed by Chiral Spiroborated Esters with an O3BN Framework

The first asymmetric reaction catalyzed by chiral spiroborated esters with an O3BN framework was reported. In the presence of 0.1 equivalent of (R,S)-1 or (S,S)-1, acetophenone was reduced by 0.6 equivalent of borane in THF at 0-5℃ for 2 h to give (R)-1-phenylethanol of up to 76% ee and 73% isolated yield. Influence of reaction conditions on the stereoselectivity of the reduction was investigated and a possible catalytic mechanism of the chiral spiroborated esters toward the reduction was also suggested.     

Lipase immobilized on HOOC-MCF： A highly enantioselective catalyst for transesterification resolution of （R,S）-1-phenylethanol

Pseudomonas cepacia lipase (PSL) immobilized on the carboxyl-functionalized meso-cellular foams (HOOC-MCF) was used for the transesterification resolution of (R,S)-1-phenylethanol in organic solvent.The results showed that the ee value of (S)-1- phenylethanol and (R)-1-phenylethyl acetate reached 99% with 50% conversion of 1-phenylethanol using toluene as solvent. Furthermore,it was found that PSL/HOOC-MCF exhibited high enantioselectivity in organic solvent with log P≤2 such as toluene and hexane.     

Enantioselective Conjugate Addition of Diethylzinc to Chalcone Catalyzed by Ni（acac）2 and Chiralβ-Amino Alcohols

Enantioselectivge conjugate addition of diethyzinc to chalcone was carried out in the presenee of Ni (acac)2 complexed with five pyrrolidfumyimethanois derived from L-proline. (S)-N-Benzyl-2-(l-hydroxy.l-methylethyl) pyrrolidlne was found to be the best ngnd in asymmetric conjugate addition among the five ligands. The products were obtained with up to 70% ee.The configuration of the product was determined jointly by the substituents on the carbon of the hydroxy group and the nitrogen atom.     

A Valuable Synthetic Route to the Enantiopure Functionalized N-Substituted Aziridines

Chiral butyrolacto[3,4-b]-2(S)-6(R)-1-N-akylaziridines 7 were synthesized in enantiopure form utilizing racemic 5-methoxy-3-bromo-2(5H)-furanone (5) and available amines (6) as key precursors. After highly effective reduction of 7, the functionaiized 2(S),3(R)-dihyroxymethyl-N-alkylaziridines (8) were obtained in good yields with ≥98% ee. This is a simple and pratical method for the preparation of enantiopure aziridines which are important intermediates in the synthesis of biologic active molecules.     

Synthesis of a new Class of Chiral β—Mercaptoalcohols from Amino Acids

The syntheses of three new optically active β-mercaptoalcohols,(R)-1,1-diphenyl-2-mercapto-3-methyl-1-butanol,(R)-1,1-diphenyl-2-mercapto-4-methyl-1-pentanol,and (R)-1,1-diphenyl-2-mercapto-1-benzenepropanol from the corresponding amino acids are described.The enantiomeric excesses of these β-mercaptoalcohols were determined by ^1H NMR as their (S)-mandeloyl derivatives.     

手性氨基醇催化的苯乙炔与酮的对映选择性加成

(S)-(1-Benzylpyrrolidin-2-yl)diphenylmethanol and cinchonine were evaluated as promotors in the asymmetricadditions of phenylacetylene to ketones,in order to prepare chiral propargylic alcohols.Good yields(up to 89%)and moderate enantioselectivities(up to 77.9% ee)were achieved.Addition of Ti(OPr-i)_4 can significantly improvethe enantioselectivity of the reaction.     

Differentiation of Constitutional Isomer of 2,2a,3,4-Tetrahydro- 4-methyl-2a-phenyl-2- （thiophen-2-yl）- 1H-azeto [-2,1-d] [- 1,51benzothiazepin-1-one-5-oxide and Fragmentations of 2,3-Dihydro-2,4-diphenyl-1,5-benzothiazepine-l-oxide／- 1,1-d

Mass spectrometric behaviour of 2,2a, 3,4-tetrahydro-4-methyl-2a-phenyl-2- (thiophen-2-yl)- 1H-azeto [-2,1-d-J1-1,5-]benzothiazepin-l-one-5-oxide and 2,3-dihydro-2,4-diphenyl-1,5-benzothiazepine-l-oxide/-1,1-dioxide have been studied with the aid of mass-analyzed ion kinetic energy spectrometry and accurate mass measurements under electron impact ionization. The monooxide derivatives showed a tendency to eliminate an alkene or an oxygen atom. 1H-Azeto[-2,1-d][1,5]benzothiazepin-1-one-5-oxide could also eliminate the thiophen- 2-ylketene molecule via a reverse [-2 q- 2 ~ cycloaddition. 2,3-Dihydro-2,4-diphenyl- 1,5-benzothiazepine-1-oxide/-1, 1-dioxide could eliminate SO2 or SO, respectively. The structure of 2,2a, 3, 4-tetrahydro-4-methyl-2a-phenyl-2- (thiophen-2-yl)-1H-azeto 1-2,1-d-] [1,5 -] benzothiazepin-1-one-5-oxide was identified on the basis of its fragmentation. The identification was supported by the fragmentations of model compound, 2,3-dihydro-2,4-diphenyl-1,5-benzothiazepine-1-oxide/-1,1-dioxide.     

Five new nortropane alkaloids and six new amino acids from the fruit of Morus alba LINNE growing in Turkey

Investigation of the constituents of the fruits of Morus alba LINNE (Moraceae) afforded five new nortropane alkaloids (1-5) along with nor-psi-tropine (6) and six new amino acids, morusimic acids A-F (7-12). The structures of the new compounds were determined to be 2alpha,3beta-dihydroxynortropane (1), 2beta,3beta-dihydroxynortropane (2), 2alpha,3beta,6exo-trihydroxynortropane (3), 2alpha,3beta,4alpha-rihydroxynortropane (4), 3beta,6exo-dihydroxynortropane (5), (3R)-3-hydroxy-12-[(1S,4S)-4-[(1S)-1-hydroxyethyl]-pyrrolidin-1-yll-dodecanoic acid-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (7), (3R)-3-hydroxy-12-[(1S,4S)-4-[(1S)-1-hydroxyethyl]-pyrrolidin-1-yll-dodecanoic acid (8), (3R)-3-hydroxy-12-1(1R,4R,5S)-4-hydroxy-5-methyl-piperidin-1-yll-dodecanoic acid-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (9), (3R)-3-hydroxy-12-[(1R,4R,5S)-4-hydroxy-5-methyl-piperidin-1-yll-dodecanoic acid (10), (3R)-3-hydroxy-12-[(1R,4R,5S)-4-hydroxy-5-hydroxymethyl-piperidin-1-yl]-dodecanoic acid-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (11), and (3R)-3-hydroxy-12-[(1R,4S,5S)-4-hydroxy-5-methyl-piperidin-1-yl]-dodecanoic acid (12) on the basis of spectral and chemical data.     

新型手性N-烷基-3-蒎胺类化合物的合成及其抑菌活性的研究

以(1S,5S)-(－)-α-蒎烯为原料合成了系列新型(1S,2S,3S,5R)-N-烷基-3-蒎胺类化合物. (－)-α-蒎烯经硼氢化氧化、重铬酸吡啶盐(PDC)氧化得到(1S,2S,5R)-(－)-3-蒎酮; 在BF3•(C2H5)2O催化下(1S,2S,5R)-(－)-3-蒎酮与伯胺化合物反应生成Schiff碱, 再经KBH4或NaBH4还原得到(1S,2S,3S,5R)-N-烷基-3-蒎胺类化合物. 采用FT-IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR和GC-MS等分析手段对合成所得(1S,2S,5R)-N-烷基-3-蒎烷亚胺和(1S,2S,3S,5R)-N-烷基-3-蒎胺类化合物的结构进行了表征. 考察了(1S,2S,3S,5R)-N-烷基-3-蒎胺类化合物对大肠杆菌(E. coli)、金黄色葡萄球菌(S. aureus)、枯草芽胞杆菌(B. subtilis)、荧光假单胞菌(P. fluorescens)、白色念珠菌(C. albicans)、黑曲霉(A. niger)和米根霉(R. oryzae)等细菌和真菌的抑菌和杀菌活性. 结果表明(1S,2S,3S,5R)-N-正庚基-3-蒎胺对真菌和细菌均表现出良好的杀菌和抑菌活性.     

Design, synthesis, and 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of (5R)- [and (5S)]-5,6-dihydro-5-phenyl-2H-1,4-oxazin-2-one N-oxides as chiral (E)-geometry-fixed alpha-alkoxycarbonylnitrones

Optically pure (5R)- [and (5S)]-5,6-dihydro-5-phenyl-2H-1, 4-oxazin-2-one N-oxides [(5R)- and (5S)-2] were designed as chiral (E)-geometry-fixed alpha-alkoxycarbonylnitrones 1. The nitrones (5R)- and (5S)-2 were synthesized by three-step oxidation of (R)- and (S)-phenylglycinols [(R)- and (S)-3], condensation of the resulting (R)- and (S)-2-hydroxylamino-2-phenylethanols [(R)- and (S)-5] with glyoxylic acid, and cyclization of the intermediary nitrones (R)- and (S)-6b. The nitrone (5R)-2reacted with olefins 7-14 under mild conditions to afford the corresponding cycloadducts 15-22 as the main products via the least sterically demanding exo modes. Cycloadduct 30 obtained from (5S)-2 and cyclopentadiene was effectively elaborated to (1S,4S, 5R)-4-benzyloxycarbonylamino-2-oxabicyclo[3.3.0]oct-7-en-3-one (28), the key synthetic intermediate of carbocyclic polyoxin C.     

Studies on the constituents of Broussonetia species X. Six new alkaloids from Broussonetia kazinoki Sieb.

Six new alkaloids, broussonetines W, X, M1, U1, J3, and J2 (1-6) were isolated from the branches of Broussonetia kazinoki SIEB. (Moraceae) as minor constituents. They were formulated as (2R,3R,4R,5R)-2-hydroxy-methyl-3,4-dihydroxy-5-17-(cyclohexy-2-on-1(6)-enyl)heptyllpyrrolidine (1), (2R,3S,4R,5R)-2-hydroxymethyl-3,4-dihydroxy-5-17-(cyclohexy-2-on-1(6)-enyl)heptyl]pyrrolidine-4-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (2), (2R,3R,4R,5R)-2-hydroxymethyl-3,4-dihydroxy-5-[(9R)-9,13-dihydroxytridecyl]- pyrrolidine (3), (2S,3S,4S)-2-hydroxymethyl-3,4-dihydroxy-5-(10-oxo-13-hydroxytridecyl)-5- pyrroline (4), (2R)-2-[(IS,2S)-1,2-dihydroxy-8-1(2R,3R,4R,5R)-5-(2-hydroxymethyl-3,4-dihydroxy-1-acetylpyrrolidinyl)loctyl]piperidine (5), (2R)-2-[(1S,2S)-1,2-dihydroxy-8-[(2R,3R, 4R,5R)-5-(2-hydroxymethy]-3,4-dihydroxypyrrolidinyl)]octyl]piperidine (6).     

Chiral Cyclopentane-Based Mimics of D-myo-Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate from D-Glucose

Two routes from D-glucose to chiral, ring-contracted analogs of the second messenger D-myo-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate are described. Methyl alpha-D-glucopyranoside was converted by an improved procedure into methyl 4,6-O-(p-methoxybenzylidene)-alpha-D-glucopyranoside (6) and thence into methyl 2-O-benzyl-3,4-bis-O-(p-methoxybenzyl)-alpha-D-gluco-hexodialdopyranoside (1,5) (14) in four steps. In the first ring-contraction method 14 was converted into methyl 2-O-benzyl-6,7-dideoxy-3,4-bis-O-(p-methoxybenzyl)-alpha-D-gluco-hept-6-enopyranoside (1,5) (15), which on sequential treatment with Cp(2)Zr(n-Bu)(2) followed by BF(3).Et(2)O afforded a mixture of (1R,2S,3S,4R,5S)-3-(benzyloxy)-4-hydroxy-1,2-bis[(p-methoxybenzyl)oxy]-5-vinylcyclopentane (16) and its 4S,5R diastereoisomer 17. Removal of the p-methoxybenzyl groups of 16 and subsequent phosphorylation and deprotection afforded the first target compound, (1R,2R,3S,4R,5S)-3-hydroxy-1,2,4-tris(phosphonooxy)-5-vinylcyclopentane (3). In the second route, intermediate 14 was subjected to SmI(2)-mediated ring contraction to give (1R,2S,3S,4R,5S)-3-(benzyloxy)-4-hydroxy-5-(hydroxymethyl)-1,2-bis[(p-methoxybenzyl)oxy]cyclopentane (20). Benzylation of 20 provided (1R,2S,3S,4R,5S)-3-(benzyloxy)-6-[(benzyloxy)methyl]-4-hydroxy-1,2-bis[(p-methoxybenzyl)oxy]cyclopentane (22) and (1R,2S,3S,4R,5S)-3,4-bis(benzyloxy)-5-(hydroxymethyl)-1,2-bis[(p-methoxybenzyl)oxy]cyclopentane (21), which were elaborated to the target trisphosphates (1R,2R,3S,4R,5S)-3-hydroxy-5-(hydroxymethyl)-1,2,4-tris(phosphonooxy)cyclopentane (4) and (1R,2S,3R,4R,5S)-1,2-dihydroxy-3,4-bis(phosphonooxy)-5-[(phosphonooxy)methyl]cyclopentane (5), respectively. Both 3 and 4 mobilized intracellular Ca(2+), but 4 was only a few fold less potent than D-myo-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate, demonstrating that effective mimics can be designed that do not bear a six-membered ring.     

Studies on the constituents of Broussonetia species VIII. Four new pyrrolidine alkaloids, broussonetines R, S, T, and V and a new pyrroline alkaloid, broussonetine U, from Broussonetia kazinoki Sieb

Four new pyrrolidine alkaloids, broussonetines R, S, T, and V and a new pyrroline alkaloid, broussonetine U were isolated from the branches of Broussonetia kazinoki SIEB. (Moraceae) in low yield. Broussonetines R, S and T were formulated as (2R,3R,4R,5R)-2-hydroxymethyl-3,4-dihydroxy-5-[(1R)-1-hydroxy-3-[6-(4-hydroxybutyl)-cyclohexy-2-on-1(6)-enyllpropyl] pyrrolidine (1), (2R,3R,4R,5R)-2-hydroxymethyl-3,4-dihydroxy-5-[(1R,10S)-1,10,13-trihydroxytridecyl] pyrrolidine (2), (2R,3R,4R,5R)-2-hydroxymethyl-3,4-dihydroxy-5-[(1R,5S)-1,5, 13-trihydroxy-10-oxo-tridecyl] pyrrolidine (3). And broussonetines U and V were proposed to be (2S,3S,4S)-2-hydroxymethyl-3, 4-dihydroxy-5-(9-oxo-13-hydroxytridecyl)-5-pyrroline (4), (2R,3S,4R,5R)-2-hydroxymethyl-3,4-dihydroxy-5-[(E)-9-oxo-13-hydroxy-3-tridecenyl] pyrrolidine (5), respectively, by spectroscopic and chemical methods.     

Synthesis, structure, and reactivity of palladacycles that contain a chiral rhenium fragment in the backbone: New cyclometalation and catalyst design strategies

The bromocyclopentadienyl complex [(eta5-C5H4Br)Re(CO)3] is converted to racemic [(eta5-C5H4Br)Re(NO)(PPh3)(CH2PPh2)] (1 b) similarly to a published sequence for cyclopentadienyl analogues. Treatment of enantiopure (S)-[(eta5-C5H5)Re(NO)(PPh3)(CH3)] with nBuLi and I2 gives (S)-[(eta5-C5H4I)Re(NO)(PPh3)(CH3)] ((S)-6 c; 84 %), which is converted (Ph3C+ PF6 -, PPh2H, tBuOK) to (S)-[(eta5-C5H4I)Re(NO)(PPh3)(CH2PPh2)] ((S)-1 c). Reactions of 1 b and (S)-1 c with Pd[P(tBu)3]2 yield [{(eta5-C5H4)Re(NO)(PPh3)(mu-CH2PPh2)Pd(mu-X)}2] (10; X = b, Br, rac/meso, 88 %; c, I, S,S, 22 %). Addition of PPh3 to 10 b gives [(eta5-C5H4)Re(NO)(PPh3)(mu-CH2PPh2)Pd(PPh3)(Br)] (11 b; 92 %). Reaction of (S)-[(eta5-C5H5)Re(NO)(PPh3)(CH2PPh2)] ((S)-2) and Pd(OAc)(2) (1.5 equiv; toluene, RT) affords the novel Pd3(OAc)4-based palladacycle (S,S)-[(eta5-C5H4)Re(NO)(PPh3)(mu-CH2PPh2)Pd(mu-OAc)2Pd(mu-OAc)2Pd(mu-PPh2CH2)(Ph3P)(ON)Re(eta5-C5H4)] ((S,S)-13; 71-90 %). Addition of LiCl and LiBr yields (S,S)-10 a,b (73 %), and Na(acac-F6) gives (S)-[(eta5-C5H4)Re(NO)(PPh3)(mu-CH2PPh2)Pd(acac-F6)] ((S)-16, 72 %). Reaction of (S,S)-10 b and pyridine affords (S)-[(eta5-C5H4)Re(NO)(PPh3)(mu-CH2PPh2)Pd(NC5H5)(Br)] ((S)-17 b, 72 %); other Lewis bases yield similar adducts. Reaction of (S)-2 and Pd(OAc)2 (0.5 equiv; benzene, 80 degrees C) gives the spiropalladacycle trans-(S,S)-[{(eta5-C5H4)Re(NO)(PPh3)(mu-CH2PPh2)}2Pd] (39 %). The crystal structures of (S)-6 c, 11 b, (S,S)- and (R,R)-132 C7H8, (S,S)-10 b, and (S)-17 b aid the preceding assignments. Both 10 b (racemic or S,S) and (S)-16 are excellent catalyst precursors for Suzuki and Heck couplings.     

Total synthesis of nor-1,6-germacradien-5-ols

The first total synthesis of (+/-)-nor-1,6-germacradien-5-ols is described. The synthetic route involves the RCM methodology for the ring formation and a selective 1,2 addition of MeLi to cyclodecenone. By altering the order of the last synthetic steps, TBSO-protected (+/-)-(1Z,6E)-nor-1,6-germacradien-5-ols (+/-)-(5S*,8R*)-16 and -(+/-)-(5S*,8S*)-16 were obtained. The synthetic strategy via cyclodecenone offers the possibility of preparing different analogues of the title compounds through addition of other nucleophiles. Moreover, nor-germacrene D could be accessed from the target molecule by methylenation of its carbonyl moiety. (+/-)-nor-1,6-Germacradien-5-ol [(+/-)-(1E,5S*,6E,8S*)-2] was synthesized in eight steps from isovaleric acid. The 10-membered ring was formed by RCM, and the tertiary alcohol moiety was introduced in the last step via a highly diastereoselective addition of MeLi to (+/-)-(1E,6E)-1,6-cyclodecen-5-one (+/-)-E,E-5. Addition of MeLi to cyclodecenone (+/-)-Z,E-5 also occurred with complete selectivity to provide (+/-)-(1Z,5S*,6E,8S*)-2. A slightly different synthetic pathway was also explored, in which the order of the final synthetic steps was switched: the enone formation and the addition of MeLi were conducted prior to the cyclization. When the hydroxy group was protected as a TBS ether, the newly formed olefin had exclusively Z configuration. Thus, TBSO-protected (+/-)-(1Z,6E)-nor-1,6-germacradien-5-ols (+/-)-16 were obtained as a 1:1 (5S*,8S*)/(5R*,8S*) mixture. The NMR spectra of these two diastereomers confirmed the relative stereochemistry of natural (-)-1,6-germacradien-5-ol (1) at C5 and C8.     

Synthesis and pharmacological activity of 4-amino-5-chloro-2-methoxy-N-[(2S,4S)-1-ethyl-2-hydroxymethyl-4- pyrrolidinyl]benzamide (TKS159) and its optical isomers

Of 4-amino-5-chloro-2-methoxy-N-(1-ethyl-2-hydroxymethyl-4- pyrrolidinyl)benzamide, four optical isomers, (2S,4S)-1 (TKS159), (2S,4R)-25, (2R,4S)-26 and (2R,4R)-27, were prepared from optically active 4-amino-1-ethyl-2-hydroxymethylpyrrolidine di-p-toluenesulfonate [(2S,4S)-14, (2S,4R)-17, (2R,4S)-20 and (2R,4R)-23, respectively]. The requisites, (2S,4S)-14, (2S,4R)-17, (2R,4S)-20 and (2R,4R)-23, were prepared from a commercially available trans-4-hydroxy-L-proline. The absolute configurations of (2S,4S)-1 (TKS159), (2S,4R)-25, (2R,4S)-26 and (2R,4R)-27 were spectroscopically determined. Of the benzamide derivatives, four optical isomers, (2S,4S)-1, (2S,4R)-25, (2R,4S)-26 and (2R,4R)-27, showed a relatively potent affinity for 5-hydroxytryptamine 4 (5-HT4) receptors in a radioligand binding assay ([3H]GR113808). The activities of 25-27 were less effective than that of 1 for the gastric emptying of a phenol red semisolid meal in rats. All this suggests that the most potent of the isomers was 4-amino-5-chloro-2-methoxy-N-[(2S,4S)-1-ethyl-2- hydroxymethyl-4-pyrrolidinyl]benzamide (1).     

Direct observation of enantiomer discrimination of epoxides by chiral salen complexes using ENDOR

Electron nuclear double resonance (ENDOR) spectroscopy was used to investigate the weak enantioselective binding between chiral salen complexes [VO(1)] ((R,R)- and (S,S)-vanadyl N,N'-bis(3,5-di-tert-butylsalcylidene)-1,2-cyclohexanediamine) and chiral epoxides (e.g., (R)-/(S)-propylene epoxide, 5) in frozen (10 K) solution. Differences in epoxide binding by enatiomers of [VO(1)] was evidenced by changes to the 1H epoxide derived peaks in the ENDOR spectra, such that (R,R)-[VO(1)] + (R)-5 and (R,R)-[VO(1)] + (S)-5 yield noticeably different spectra. These changes were assigned to the small structural differences between the diastereomeric metal-epoxide adducts. Simulation of the spectra revealed differences in the VO...1Hepoxide distances for the diastereomeric pairs, which was confirmed by a complementary set of density functional theory (DFT) calculations. While the epoxide molecule is very weakly coordinated, ENDOR measurements of the racemic complex in racemic epoxide nevertheless indicated the preferential coordination of the (R)-5 to (R,R)-[VO(1)] (likewise (S)-(5) to (S,S)-[VO(1)]), which is favored over the binding of (S)-5 epoxide to (R,R)-[VO(1)] (and likewise (R)-5 epoxide to (S,S)-[VO(1)]). This demonstrates the unique power of the ENDOR technique to resolve weak chiral interactions for which EPR spectroscopy alone lacks sufficient resolution.