Synthetic methods Part (ii) Oxidation and reduction methods

Abstract

This Report highlights advances in some of the most commonly used oxidation and reduction reactions, focusing on the literature from 2005. Significant advances in oxidation chemistry include highly enantioselective vanadium-catalysed epoxidation of allylic alcohols; amine-catalysed asymmetric epoxidation of α,β-unsaturated aldehydes with hydrogen peroxide; and efficient enantioselective epoxidation of α,β-unsaturated esters. Amongst highlights in reduction chemistry are efficient new methods for enantioselective imine reduction with rhenium catalysis and organocatalysis; and the enantioselective reduction of N-aminopyridinium ylides.