New d-arabino-hexopyranosid-3-uloses were synthesized by a simple method from mannopyranoside derivatives. The common skeleton possesses a tunable alkoxy group as steric sensor on carbon 2 of the sugar. The new ketones were employed in the dioxirane- mediated epoxidation of a range of trans-and trisubstituted arylalkenes giving enantiomeric excesses from low to good (30–90%). The effect of the size of the steric sensor on the ...