Enantioselective Epoxidation of β,β-Disubstituted Enamides with a Manganese Catalyst and Aqueous Hydrogen Peroxide.

Enantioselective epoxidation of β,β-disubstituted enamides with aqueous hydrogen peroxide and a novel manganese catalyst is described. Epoxidation is stereospecific and proceeds fast under mild conditions. Amides are disclosed as key functional groups to enable high enantioselectivity.