Sharpless Epoxidation

Abstract The titanium tetraisoproxide catalyzed asymmetric epoxidation of allylic alcohols using tert ‐butylperoxide as oxidant to yield predictable stereochemistry in the presence of an enantiomerically pure diethyl tartrate is generally known as the Sharpless epoxidation. The complex between titanium tetraisoproxide and diethyl tartrate is called the Katsuki‐Sharpless catalyst. It has been reported that the equimolar mixture of titanium and tartrate (2:2) is suitable for asymmetric induction and the addition of 3°A or 4°A molecular sieves apparently enhances the conversion and enantioselectivity. This reaction has wide applications in organic synthesis.