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Updated: Apr 26, 2026

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Synthesis of cyclic imides from nitriles and diols using hydrogen transfer as a substrate-activating strategy
1Department of Chemistry, College of Natural Sciences, Seoul National University , 599 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 151-747, Republic of Korea.
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.
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