Cationic Co(III)(salen)-catalyzed enantioselective Baeyer–Villiger oxidation of 3-arylcyclobutanones using hydrogen peroxide as a terminal oxidant

A cationic Co(III)(salen) complex of cis-β-structure was found to serve as an efficient catalyst for asymmetric Baeyer–Villiger reaction of 3-substituted cyclobutanone using hydrogen peroxide as a terminal oxidant. Good enantioselectivity up to 78% ee was achieved.