Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 28, 2026

Engineering Molecular Recognition with Bio-mimetic Polymers on Single Walled Carbon Nanotubes
Published on: January 10, 2017
Molecular Recognition and Chirality Sensing of Epoxides in Water Using Endo-Functionalized Molecular Tubes
Li-Li Wang1,2, Zhao Chen1, Wei-Er Liu1
1Department of Chemistry, South University of Science and Technology of China , Xueyuan Boulevard 1088, Nanshan District, Shenzhen 518055, China.
Abstract:
Chiral epoxides are important intermediates in chemistry and biology. The high-throughput screening of asymmetric epoxidation conditions requires fast determination of the absolute configurations and ee values of chiral epoxides. Herein, we report molecular recognition and chiroptical sensing of epoxides in water using endo-functionalized molecular tubes. The absolute configurations and ee values were simultaneously determined by circular dichroism spectroscopy. In addition, real-time monitoring as well as the application to real asymmetric epoxidation was demonstrated. The method is simple, environmentally friendly, and amenable to high-throughput screening.
Related Concept Videos
Acid-Catalyzed Ring-Opening of Epoxides
Base-Catalyzed Ring-Opening of Epoxides
Preparation of Epoxides
Epoxides result from alkene oxidation, which can be achieved by a) air, b) peroxy acids, c) hypochlorous acids, and d) halohydrin cyclization.
Epoxidation with Peroxy Acids
Epoxidation of alkenes via oxidation with peroxy acids involves the conversion of a carbon–carbon double bond to an epoxide using the oxidizing agent meta-chloroperoxybenzoic acid, commonly known as MCPBA. Since the O–O bond of peroxy acids is very weak, the addition of electrophilic oxygen of peroxy acids to...
Sharpless Epoxidation
Structure and Nomenclature of Epoxides
Regioselectivity and Stereochemistry of Acid-Catalyzed Hydration

