Polymer-bound chiral (Salen)Mn(III) complex as heterogeneous catalyst in rapid and clean enantioselective epoxidation of unfunctionalized olefins

The application of a new polystyrene-divinylbenzene system containing an optically active (salen)Mn(III) complex in asymmetric epoxidation of unfunctionalised olefins is reported. This system showed a remarkably high reaction speed in the conditions described. Reaction outcomes drastically varied, in terms of enantioselectivity and cis-trans isomerization extent, upon the terminal oxidant employed (mCPBANMO and MMPP). Reuse of the catalyst was extremely efficient for several cycles. Interesting values of ee were obtained for styrene (15%) and cis-β-methylstyrene (41%)