The results of a highly diastereoselective epoxidation of allylic diols derived from
Baylis-Hillman adducts are reported. The formation of an intramolecular hydrogen bond
seems to be responsible for the high anti diastereoselection obtained in this epoxidation reaction. The results are complementary
to those obtained in the direct epoxidation of Baylis-Hillman adducts, in which an
elevated syn diastereoselectivity was observed.
Baylis-Hillman reaction - epoxidation - allylic alcohol - silicon - diastereoselectivity