A series of chiral (pyrrolidine salen)Mn(III) complexes were synthesized front N-aza-substituted (R,R)-N,N'-bis(3,5-di-tert-butylsalicylidene)-3.4-diaminopyrrolidine salen ligands. High yields and comparable enantioselectivity relative to Jacobsen's catalyst were achieved in asymmetric epoxidation of styrene and chromenes using NaClO/PPNO and m-CPBA/NMO as the oxidant systems. Complexes 1-3, featuring a tertiary airline unit, displayed higher activity than complex 4, bearing ail amide unit and Jacobsen's catalyst in the NaClO/PPNO aqueous/organic biphasic system. The influence of CH3I on epoxidation of 6-nitro-2,2-dimethylchromene catalysed by 1-4 in the biphasic medium was Studied to explore the catalysts with built-in phase-transfer capability. The alkenes' access pathway is discussed on the basis of the steric effect of the N-aza-substituent in the pyrrolidine backbone of complexes 1-3 on the enantioselectivity of epoxidation. (c) 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.