Homologous biphenyl and (diastereomeric) binaphthyl tertiary azepines and quaternary iminium salts were prepared from (+)-(S,S)-L-acetonamine. Both the amines and iminium ions behave as effective catalysts for the enantioselective epoxidation of unfunctionalized olefins (ee up to 83%). (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.