Versatile synthetic intermediates--α,β-epoxyketones and α,β-epoxyaldehydes--can be obtained through asymmetric organocatalytic epoxidation of α,β-unsaturated ketones and aldehydes. This Review focuses on some recent advances in these epoxidation reactions with respect to scope and limitations with polyamino acids, phase-transfer catalysts (PTCs), amines, and guanidines as chiral organocatalysts. Furthermore, recent results obtained with chiral peroxides are discussed.
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