Abstract

Corey-Chaykovsky epoxidation is one of the versatile methods for synthesis of structurally diverse oxiranes. The extension of simplified Corey-Chaykovsky epoxidation has been investigated. Ketones and aromatic aldehydes were epoxidized in satisfactory to excellent yields with trimethylsulfonium iodide as an ylide precursor and crushed potassium hydroxide as a base in tertiary butanol. The scope and limitation of the simplified procedure were examined. The results revealed that the procedure is applicable to the epoxidation of ketones and aromatic aldehydes.

Keywords: Aldehyde, Corey-Chaykovsky epoxidation, epoxidation, ketone, oxirane, butanol, trimethylsulfonium, alcohols, vicinal diols, dimethylsulfoniumm