Asymmetric allylic oxidation of cyclic olefins using a catalytic amount of copper(I) bisoxazoline complexes and new peresters was investigated to give allylic benzoate esters in high selectivity (similar to 80%ee), yield (70-80%), and at reasonable rates (5-7 d) at -20 degrees C in acetonitrile. Cyclohexene reacted with pam-chloro tert-butylperbenzoate and 15 mol% diphenylbisoxazoline-copper(I) hexafluorophosphate to give benzoate product in 83% yield and 75% ee. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.