The [Mn-III(TDL1*)(pic)(H2O)] (1) complex (where H2TDL1* = N-3,5-di-(t-butyl)salicylidine-D-glucosamine, pic(-) = picolinate) had been synthesized and characterized by analytical, spectral (UV-vis and IR), molar conductivity, magnetic moment and electrochemical studies. Complex 1 efficiently catalyzed the epoxidation of styrene, 4-chlorostyrene, 4-methylstyrene, 4-methoxystyrene, 1-methylcyclohexene and 1,2-dihydronaphthalene using aqueous tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BuOOH) as terminal oxidant. The selected alkenes were effectively converted to their organic epoxides in the 50-62% enantiomeric excess(ee) at ambient temperature. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.