Abstract: This invention relates to the catalyst (III) and intermediates for its preparation in which M is a transition metal ion; A is a counter-ion if required; B, B′, and E and E′ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen aryl, C1-6alkyl, silyl or aryl-C1-6 alkyl in which any aryl or alkyl moiety is optionally substituted or B′ and B or E′ and E together form a C2-6 polymethylene link; with the proviso that only one of the carbons marked with an asterisk if a chiral center; R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, R9 and R10 are independently hydrogen, alkyl or alkoxy

Abstract: A process for preparing a compound of formula (I) or an addition salt thereof and/or a solvate thereof: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 are each independently C.sub.1-4 alkoxy and R.sup.3 is C.sub.1-6 alkyl, which process comprises reacting an arylamine of formula (II): ##STR2## wherein R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 are as defined in relation to formula (I) with a .beta.-aminoaldehyde of formula (III): ##STR3## wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are as defined in relation to formula (I); and thereafter reducing the intermediate so formed and, optionally, forming an addition salt of the compound of formula (I) and/or a solvate thereof.

Abstract: A process for enantioselectively epoxidising a prochiral olefin, which process comprises reacting a prochiral olefin with a source of oxygen in the presence of a salen catalyst and a source of an electron donating ligand, characterized in that the donor ligand is isoquinoline N-oxide or a compound having donor ligand activity and having substantially the same solubility characteristics as isoquinoline N-oxide.