title: Synthesis of cyclic imides from nitriles and diols using hydrogen transfer as a substrate-activating strategy.
abstract: An atom-economical and versatile method for the synthesis of cyclic imides from nitriles and diols was developed. The method utilizes a Ru-catalyzed transfer-hydrogenation reaction in which the substrates, diols, and nitriles are simultaneously activated into lactones and amines in a redox-neutral manner to afford the corresponding cyclic imides with evolution of H2 gas as the sole byproduct. This operationally simple and catalytic synthetic method provides a sustainable and easily accessible route to cyclic imides.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, College of Natural Sciences, Seoul National University , 599 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 151-747, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jaewoon
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Soon Hyeok
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Hong
mesh_terms: D000438:Alcohols / Q000737:chemistry*; D002384:Catalysis; D007094:Imides / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry; D015394:Molecular Structure; D009570:Nitriles / Q000737:chemistry*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction
chemical_list: D000438:Alcohols; D007094:Imides; D009570:Nitriles