Stereoselective epoxidation of alkenes by chloroperoxidase

摘要

A method of converting olefins to chiral epoxides comprises combining an asymmetric aliphatic or aryl alkene substrate with a buffered chloroperoxidase solution to form a stabilized reaction mixture, and gradually adding hydrogen peroxide as a substrate oxidant, such that the chloroperoxidase catalyzes the conversion of the substrate to the corresponding epoxide in enantiomeric excess. The products of the invention are alkyl and aryl non-primary epoxides. The resulting preparations are enantiomerically pure, and may greatly enhance large-scale synthesis of stereoisomer products such as pharmaceuticals and pesticides.