High enantioselectivities in an (E)-alkene epoxidation by catalytically active chromium salen complexes. Insight into the catalytic cycle.

[structure: see text]. The epoxidation of (E)-beta-methylstyrene mediated by an oxochromium salen complex yields the epoxide in 92% ee in stoichiometric mode, the highest ee yet reported for a metal-mediated epoxidation of an (E)-alkene. The effect of added donor ligands, previously substantial, has reached a ceiling with this complex. In catalytic mode a slightly reduced ee and higher yield is obtained, indicating both the presence of a second oxidation cycle and that the major oxidant reacts with its reduced form.