| abstract |
A 13 or 14 member macrocyclic compound having the following ring nucleus: <IMAGE> IA or <IMAGE> IB wherein: n=0 or 1; m=0 or 1; n+m>0; X1, X2, Z1 and Z2 independently represent H2 or O; Y1, Y2, Y3 and Y4 independently represent H, lower alkyl or CH2COOH; L1 and L2 independently represent side chains of alpha amino acids, except that L1 and L2 do not both represent H; and R1 and R2 independently represent H or OH forms stable complexes with transition metal ions that may be used as catalysts for oxidizing alkenes to epoxides with oxidizing agents. A method is also provided for oxidizing alkenes to epoxides by treating the alkene with a transition metal ion complex which includes the 13 or 14 member macrocyclic compound of the invention, a cyclam or a Schiff base complex and peroxymonosulfate ion or hypochlorite ion in a two phase system comprising a phase transfer catalyst, a water phase having a pH from about 6 to about 14 and an inorganic solvent phase in which the complex is sufficiently soluble. |