Abstract: A method is provided for oxidizing alkenes to epoxides by treating the alkene with a transition metal ion complex which includes a salen or salophen derivative and peroxymonosulfate ion or hypochlorite ion in a two phase system with a phase transfer catalyst, a water phase having a pH from about 6 to about 12.9 and an inorganic solvent phase in which the complex is sufficiently soluble.

Abstract: A 13 or 14 member macrocyclic compound having the following ring nucleus: ##STR1## wherein: n=0 or 1;m=0 or 1;n+m>0;X.sub.1, X.sub.2, Z.sub.1 and Z.sub.2 independently represent H.sub.2 or O;Y.sub.1, Y.sub.2, Y.sub.3 and Y.sub.4 independently represent H, lower alkyl or CH.sub.2 COOH;L.sub.1 and L.sub.2 independently represent side chains of alpha amino acids, except that L.sub.1 and L.sub.2 do not both represent H; andR.sub.1 and R.sub.2 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.

Abstract: A 13 or 14 member macrocyclic compound having the following ring nucleus: ##STR1##This work was supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health (GM-34841) and the National Science Foundation (CHE-8706616).