this invention provides a method of evaluating the catalytic activity of a rare earth alkoxide used as a starting material of a basic catalyst or an asymmetric synthesis catalyst . the rare earth alkoxide used as the subject of evaluation and 2 , 2 ′- dihydroxy - 1 , 1 ′- binaphthol are used as the starting material to prepare a rare earth complex catalyst which is then used to conduct the asymmetric epoxidation of an enone . the epoxy enone formed by this reaction , the unreacted enone , and the enantiomeric excess are measured , and from these results , the catalytic activity of the rare earth alkoxide is evaluated .