1993 stereochemistry stereochemistry (general, optical resolution) O 0030 24 -066 Synthesis of Chiral Cobalt Complexes with Planoid-Tetradentate Ligand System.-Cobalamins and related derivatives are versatile, enantioselective catalysts for electron transfer induced reactions. Since cobalamins can act in the reaction of achiral educts only in the direction of one enantiomorphous form, synthetic B12-analogous metal complexes are needed, which are accessible in both enantiomorphous forms. As model compounds Co complexes (I) and (II) are chosen which contain a chiral tetradentate-planoid ligand system consisting of two different parts. A study on the catalytic properties of (I) in the isomerization of the achiral 1,4-epiperoxide (III) shows a high activity, but (IV) is obtained only as a racemic mixture. When using (II) as the catalyst, the change in the ligand periphery causes the generation of (IV) with an excess of the (S) enantiomer. The catalytic activity is comparable to that of vitamin B12. -(HAERTER, R.; WEYMUTH, C.; SCHEFFOLD, R.; ENGEL, P.; LINDEN, A.; Helv. Chim. Acta 76 (1993) 1, 353-371; Inst. Org. Chem., Univ. Bern, CH-3012 Bern, Switz.; DE)