Propanephosphonic acid anhydride-mediated cyclodehydration of maleic acid monoamides

Propanephosphonic acid anhydride (T3P) has been proposed as a novel reagent for the preparation of maleic acid isoimides from the corresponding monoamides. A series of substituted aromatic and aliphatic isoimides have been prepared in good yields. The main advantage of this synthetic method is the use of environmentally benign, cost-efficient reagents and solvents, which are also safer to handle than the ones employed previously. Supplemental materials are available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition of Synthetic Communications® to view the free supplemental file.