Patent ID: 6878835
Filing Date: 2005-04-12
Classification: B01J,C07B,C07D

Abstract:
1. A process for producing an optically active epoxide of the following formula (2): wherein each of R 1 and R 2 which are independent of each other, is a C 1-20 linear, branched or cyclic alkyl group, an aromatic group, an aromatic group substituted by from 1 to 5 C 1-5 alkyl groups, an aromatic group substituted by from 1 to 5 C 1-5 alkoxy groups, an aromatic group substituted by from 1 to 5 halogen atoms, a C 1-5 linear, branched or cyclic alkyl group substituted by an aromatic group, or a C 1-5 linear, branched or cyclic alkyl group substituted by a halogenated aromatic group, and symbol * represents optically active carbon, which comprises reacting an enone of the following formula (1) wherein R (1) adding to a solvent (A) an optically active binaphthol. (B) lanthanum triisopropoxide, (C) triphenylphosphine oxide, and (D) cumene hydroperoxide or tert-butyl hydroperoxide present in an amount of from 1 to 10 mols per mol of (B) lanthanum triisopropoxide to form a solution and (2) reacting the solution of step (1) until a complex catalyst is formed and dissolved as indicated by a yellow-green to green color.