Sharpless epoxidation

Definition

Sharpless epoxidation is a chemical reaction that selectively transforms primary and secondary allylic alcohols into their corresponding epoxy alcohols using titanium tetraisopropoxide, tert-butyl hydroperoxide, and diethyl tartrate. It is noteworthy for its stereospecificity, predominantly producing molecules with a specific three-dimensional arrangement.

Related terms

Allylic Alcohol: A compound containing an alcohol group attached to a carbon atom that is directly connected to another carbon atom bonded to a double bond.

Stereospecificity:

A characteristic of certain chemical reactions where the reaction can produce one specific geometric or optical isomer over others.

Epoxy Alcohols: Organic compounds featuring both an epoxy group (three-membered ring consisting of two carbons and one oxygen) and an alcohol group (-OH), often produced through epoxidation reactions