A convenient synthesis of 3,4-diaryl(hetaryl)-substituted maleimides and maleic anhydrides

Abstract

A convenient procedure has been developed for the synthesis of 3,4-diaryl(or hetaryl)maleimides by cross coupling of N-substituted 3,4-dibromomaleimides with aryl(hetaryl)boronic acids in the presence of Pd(Ph3P)4 and CsF. The reaction ensures high yields of the products and requires relatively small amount of the catalyst; it can be performed on an enlarged scale. The resulting maleimides are readily converted into the corresponding maleic anhydrides.