Chiral catalysts and catalytic epoxidation catalyzed thereby

A chiral catalyst having the following general formula:

• ##STR92## where M is a transition metal in the +3 oxidation state;
• where A is an anion;
• and
• where R1 and R4 are trans to each other and at least one of R1 and R4 is selected from the group consisting of primary alkyls and hydrogen.

A chiral catalyst having the following general formula when in the active state:

• ##STR93## where M is a transition metal ion in the +3 oxidation state;
• where n is either 3, 4, 5 or 6;
• where at least one of X1 or X2 is selected from the group consisting of aryls, primary alkyls, secondary alkyls, tertiary alkyls, and alkyl groups bearing hetero atoms;
• where at least one of X3 or X4 is selected from the group consisting of aryls, primary alkyls, secondary alkyls, tertiary alkyls, and alkyl groups bearing hetero atoms;
• where at least one of Y1 or Y2 is selected from the group consisting of aryls, primary alkyls, secondary alkyls, tertiary alkyls, halides, NO.sub.2 and alkyl groups bearing hetero atoms;
• where at least one of Y4 or Y5 is selected from the group consisting of aryls, primary alkyls, secondary alkyls, tertiary alkyls, halides, NO.sub.2 and alkyl groups bearing hetero atoms;
• where Y3, and Y6 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and primary alkyl groups;
• where R1 and R4 are trans to each other and at least one of R1 and R4 is selected from the group consisting of primary alkyls and hydrogen;
• and
• where the carbons in the (C).sub.n portion have substituents selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, and hetero atoms.