Highly Efficient Asymmetric Epoxidation of Electron-Deficient alpha,beta-Enones and Related Applications to Organic Synthesis

The asymmetric epoxidation of electron-deficient olefins has been achieved using inexpensive and readily available prolinols as catalysts with good to excellent yields and enantioselectivities. The Utility of the resulting chiral epoxides was illustrated by elaboration to several synthetically useful compounds featuring a concise synthesis of (-)-(5R,6S)-balasubramide.