Enantioselective epoxidation of alpha,beta-enones promoted by alpha,alpha-diphenyl-L-prolinol as bifunctional organocatalyst

reaction: see text] An operationally simple and mild protocol for the catalytic enantioselective epoxidation of alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones has been estabilished using commercially available alpha,alpha-diphenyl-l-prolinol as bifunctional organocatalyst and tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) as oxidant. The epoxides have been obtained in good yields and with up to 80% ee.