Chiral octahedral complexes of Co(iii) as catalysts for asymmetric epoxidation of chalcones under phase transfer conditions

Abstract

Stereochemically inert and positively charged chiral complexes of Co(III) were shown to catalyze the asymmetric epoxidation of chalcones with H₂O₂ under phase transfer conditions. The reaction products had enantiomeric purities of up to 55%. It was also shown that complex 1a I⁻ catalyzed the coupling reaction of a resulting epoxide with CO₂ (conversion 72%).