Synthesis and X-ray crystal structure of a chiral molybdenum porphyrin and its catalytic behaviour toward asymmetric epoxidation of aromatic alkenes

Reaction of M(CO)6 with H2P* (5,10,15,20-tetrakis-{(1S,4R,5R,8S)-1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8-octahydro-1,4:5,8-dimethanoanthracene-9-yl}porphyrin) followed by treatment with methanol afforded [MoVO(P*)(OMe)] (1) in ∼80% yield. Complex 1 was characterised by IR and ESR spectroscopy and X-ray structure determination. This chiral molybdenum porphyrin was found to catalyse the epoxidation of styrene, cis-β-methylstyrene, and 1,2-dihydronaphthalene with tert-butyl hydroperoxide in up to 29% ee.