Asymmetric epoxidation of chromenes catalyzed by chiral pyrrolidine SalenMn(III) complexes with an anchored functional group

Chiral pyrrolidine SalenMn(III) complexes with an anchored functional group at the N_aza‐substituent in the pyrrolidine backbone were synthesized, and used as catalysts for asymmetric epoxidation of substituted chromenes. The complex 1 with an anchored imidazole as acceptor could effectively catalyze epoxidation of substituted chromenes in the absence of expensive additive 4‐phenyl pyridine N‐oxide (PPNO) by the coordination of the anchored organic base to the central manganese ion. Complexes 2 and 3 with a quaternary ammonium salt unit at the N_aza‐substituent in the pyrrolidine backbone displayed higher activities than Jacobsen catalyst and the analogous complex 4 without anchored functional group in the aforementioned reaction. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.