| Abstract: | Two oxoruthenium(IV) complexes containing C2 symmetric 1,1′-biisoquinoline (biqn) and (R,R)-3,3′-(1,2-dimethylethylenedioxy)-2,2′-bipyridine (diopy*) were prepared, and both are active oxidants for alkene epoxidations. The oxidation of styrene and cis- and trans-β-methylstyrenes by [(Cn)(diopy*)-RuIV(O)](ClO4)2 did not proceed enantioselectively, but the same oxidant can attain a moderate enantioselectivity of 33%ee for the trans-stilbene oxidation to trans-stilbene oxide. A head-on approach model, where the C=C is directed from the top to the O=Ru moiety, is proposed to account for the facial differentiation of the trans-stilbene oxidation. |
