Enantioselective Epoxidation: Sharpless Epoxidation

This lecture covers the enantioselective epoxidation of alkenes, focusing on the Sharpless Epoxidation method using Ti(O'Pr)4 as a catalyst and an optically active tatrate ester. The process involves the formation of a dimeric complex and leads to high enantiomeric excess in the final product. The lecture also discusses the importance of the absence of a nucleophile in the reaction, the rearrangement of bifunctionalized molecules, and the opening of epoxides. Various factors influencing the stereochemistry of the reaction are explored, such as the substrate's structure, catalyst strength, nucleophile properties, and solvent characteristics.