Reductive formation and transformation of epoxides in neutral aqueous medium

Stoichiometrically controlled reductive epoxidation could be elaborated to transform α,β-diketones or α-hydroxy ketones to epoxides in a very good yields in neutral aqueous medium using chromium(II)acetate. Modification of the coordination sphere of Cr(II) ion with the added ligand makes the reductive ring-opening possible.