Epoxidation is a chemical reaction that converts alkenes, which are compounds containing carbon-carbon double bonds, into epoxides. An epoxide is a three-membered cyclic ether that contains an oxygen atom and is highly reactive. This transformation is often achieved using reagents like peracids, such as peracetic acid or m-chloroperbenzoic acid, which add an oxygen atom across the double bond. The resulting epoxides are valuable intermediates in organic synthesis, as they can be further transformed into various functional groups. They are used in the production of pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and polymers, making epoxidation an important reaction in the field of organic chemistry.