Asymmetric Epoxidation of 1,4-Naphthoquinones Catalyzed by Guanidine-Urea Bifunctional Organocatalyst.

An enantioselective nucleophilic epoxidation of 2-substituted 1,4-naphthoquinones in the presence of a newly developed guanidine-bisurea bifunctional organocatalyst with tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) as an oxidant is presented. 1,4-Naphthoquinones bearing substituents at C6, C7, and C2 were available for the reaction, and the corresponding epoxides were obtained with 88:12-95:5 er in 71-98% yields. DFT calculations indicated that substituents at C2 and C6 in the terminal Ar group of the catalyst 9k play a key role in controlling the stereochemical outcome.