A mild and facile synthetic method of cyclic imides is presented. These compounds are widely used in the synthesis of novel medical, polymeric, photonic and electronic materials. Compared with traditional syntheses, the method reported has several advantages including mild conditions, simplified work-up and low cost.
The synthetic potential for the photolysis of alkylsuccinimides to give 6-substituted hexahydroazepine-2,5-diones is investigated. The reaction generally proceeds poorly, particularly when phenyl, cyano or ethoxycarbonyl groups are present. Fragmentation and intramolecular disproportionation reactions are identified as major side reactions.