Tungsten-catalyzed asymmetric epoxidation of allylic and homoallylic alcohols with hydrogen peroxide.

A simple, efficient, and environmentally friendly asymmetric epoxidation of primary, secondary, tertiary allylic, and homoallylic alcohols has been accomplished. This process was promoted by a tungsten-bishydroxamic acid complex at room temperature with the use of aqueous 30% H2O2 as oxidant, yielding the products in 84-98% ee.