The design and synthesis of novel anomeric hydroperoxides: influence of the carbohydrate residue in the enantioselective epoxidation of quinones

A series of anomeric carbohydrate hydroperoxides were prepared and used in the base-catalysed epoxidation of quinones. Good yields and ees were obtained, and by the use of a d- or l-series carbohydrate either enantiomer of each pair of epoxides could be accessed.