The asymmetricepoxidation of electron‐deficient olefins has been achieved using inexpensive and readily available prolinols as catalysts with good to excellent yields and enantioselectivities. The utility of the resulting chiral epoxides was illustrated by elaboration to several synthetically useful compounds featuring a concise synthesis of (−)‐(5R,6S)‐balasubramide.
Fluoroalkyl alcohols are effectivity oxidized to the corresponding fluoroalkyl carbonyl compounds by reaction with sodium hypochlorite pentahydrate in acetonitrile in the presence of acid and nitroxyl radical catalysts. Although the reaction proceeded slower under a nitroxyl radical catalyst- free condition, the desired carbonyl compounds were obtained in high yields. For the reaction with fluoroalkyl