Enantioselective epoxidation of electron-deficient olefins: an organocatalytic approach.

Versatile synthetic intermediates--α,β-epoxyketones and α,β-epoxyaldehydes--can be obtained through asymmetric organocatalytic epoxidation of α,β-unsaturated ketones and aldehydes. This Review focuses on some recent advances in these epoxidation reactions with respect to scope and limitations with polyamino acids, phase-transfer catalysts (PTCs), amines, and guanidines as chiral organocatalysts. Furthermore, recent results obtained with chiral peroxides are discussed.