Sharpless Asymmetric Epoxidation (SAE) is a highly enantioselective chemical reaction used to convert primary and secondary allylic alcohols into their corresponding epoxides. This reaction is a cornerstone in the field of asymmetric catalysis, developed by K. Barry Sharpless, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2001 for his work. The process relies on a chiral catalyst, typically a titanium-tartrate complex, and tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) as the oxidizing agent.
