Epoxides are usually created by one of the following reactions:
Olefin Peroxidation involves the oxidation of an Olefin with a Peroxide , usually a Peroxyacid like M-CPBA , and proceeds via what is commonly known as the Butterfly Mechanism1. It is easiest to consider the oxygen to be an Electrophile , and the alkene a Nucleophile , although they both operate in that capacity, and the reaction is considered to be concerted (the numbers in the mechanism below are for simplification).
Intramolecular SN2 substitution. This method is a variant of the Williamson Ether Synthesis . In this case, the Alkoxide Ion and the Halide are right next to each other in the same molecule (such compounds are generically called Halohydrins ), which makes this a simple ring closure reaction.
Reduction of an epoxide with Lithium Aluminium Hydride and Water generates an Alcohol . This reduction process can be considered to be the nucleophilic addition of hydride (H-) to the epoxide under basic conditions.
