Asymmetric Epoxidation of Simple Olefins Catalyzed By Chiral Diphosphine-modified Platinum(II) Complexes

The synthesis of a class of chiral diphosphine-modified platinum(II) complexes of the type P2*Pt(CF3)X (P2* = chiraphos, prophos, diop; X = Cl, OH) is reported. These have been characterized with IR and 19F and 31P(1H) NMR spectroscopy. The hydroxo complexes and the corresponding [P2*Pt(CF3)(CH2Cl2)](BF4) cationic solvato complexes have been used as catalysts in the epoxidation of 1-octene and propene with diluted hydrogen peroxide