Electrochemical asymmetric epoxidation of olefins by using an optically active Mn-salen complex

Enantioselective electro-epoxidation of olefins by using an optically active Mn-salen complex, (S,S)-N,N′-bis(3,5-di-tert-butylsalicylidene)-1,2-cyclohexanediaminomanganese(III) chloride (3), as a mediator in a CH2Cl2 aqueous NaCl two-phase system was performed successfully in a simple undivided cell under constant current conditions. Optimization of the electrolysis conditions and estimation of the reaction mechanism are discussed.