Juliá–Colonna asymmetric epoxidation reactions under non-aqueous conditions: rapid, highly regio- and stereo-selective transformations using a cheap, recyclable catalyst

The asymmetric oxidation of some enones (Table 1), selected dienones 3–5, and a trienone 13 is accomplished using poly-L-leucine or poly-D-leucine and urea hydrogen peroxide under non-aqueous conditions. One of the resultant epoxy ketones 6 has been converted into the δ-lactones 19 and 22.