Synthesis of maytansinoid. A general approach via heteroconjugate addition strategy and the total synthesis of (.+-.)-maysine and (.+-.)-N-methylmaysenine
New diastereoselective epoxidation on the olefin 1 with TBHP mediated by Ti(IV) is described to give the epoxide 2 which has reverse orientation of the one, 3 with MCPBA. Ti-mediation was ineffective on the olefin 4, on which MCPBA worked in high selectivity. Example of kinetic resolution is also described on 1b under Katsuki-Sharpless condition.