A homogeneous gallium(III) compound selectively catalyzes the epoxidation of alkenes

We demonstrate that a simple gallium(III) complex, [Ga(phen)(2)Cl(2)]Cl (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline), can serve as a homogeneous catalyst for the epoxidation of alkenes. The olefin epoxidations proceed relatively quickly at mild temperatures and, under optimum conditions, are highly selective for the epoxide product.