The isomerisation of (Z)-3-[2H1]-phenylprop-2-enone as a measure of the rate of hydroperoxide addition in Weitz-Scheffer and Julia-Colonna epoxidations.

(Z)-3-[2H1]-Phenylprop-2-enone is isomerised by hydroperoxide to an equimolar mixture of the (Z)- and (E)-isomers prior to epoxidation. Poly-(L)-leucine (10 mole %) accelerates the addition of hydroperoxide by an order of magnitude and sequesters hydroperoxide from THF.