Asymmetric catalysis in oxidation reactions : The consequences of interactions between enantiomers

Abstract

Asymmetric catalysis in epoxidation reactions has been achieved using alkaloid salts under phase-transfer conditions. A second biologically important oxidation reaction, namely phenol coupling has been studied from the point of view of stereospecificity. The differences observed in the product ratios, between the phenol coupling of a racemic phenol and an optically pure phenol is the basis for the hypothesis: “When a chiral substance undergoes a reaction, the reaction rate and the product ratio will depend upon the excess of enantiomer present in the starting material.”