Diisopropyl tartrate explained

Diisopropyl tartrate (DIPT) is a diester of tartaric acid. It has a two chiral carbon atoms giving rise to three stereoisomeric variants. It is commonly used in asymmetric synthesis as a catalyst and as chiral building block for pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. Its main application is in Sharpless epoxidation, where it serves as a chiral ligand to titanium after reaction with titanium isopropoxide.[1]

References

  1. 10.1021/ja00538a077 . J. Am. Chem. Soc. . The first practical method for asymmetric epoxidation . 1980 . Katsuki . Tsutomu . Sharpless . K. Barry . 102 . 18 . 5974.