1. Introduction

The most widely employed methods for the synthesis of epoxides with high enantiomeric excesses involve the asymmetric oxidation of alkenes.

Sharpless epoxidation of allylic alcohols¹.

Jacobsen/Katsuki epoxidation of unfunctionalised alkenes².

1. For a review see Johnson, R. A.; Sharpless, K. B. In Catalytic Asymmetric Synthesis A. Ojima, Ed.; New York, 1993; pp103-158.

2. For a review see Jacobsen, E. N.; In Catalytic Asymmetric Synthesis A. Ojima, Ed.; New York, 1993; pp159-202.