Asymmetric epoxidation of chromenes catalyzed by chiral pyrrolidine SalenMn(III) complexes with an anchored functional group

Chiral pyrrolidine SalenMn(III) complexes with an anchored functional group at the N aza ‐substituent in the pyrrolidine backbone were synthesized, and used as catalysts for asymmetric epoxidation of substituted chromenes. The complex 1 with an anchored imidazole as acceptor could effectively catalyze epoxidation of substituted chromenes in the absence of expensive additive 4‐phenyl pyridine N ‐oxide (PPNO) by the coordination of the anchored organic base to the central manganese ion. Complexes 2 and 3 with a quaternary ammonium salt unit at the N aza ‐substituent in the pyrrolidine backbone displayed higher activities than Jacobsen catalyst and the analogous complex 4 without anchored functional group in the aforementioned reaction. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.