Oxidation of α-Phenylsuccinimides with Manganese(IV) Oxide

Abstract

When heated in the presence of manganese(IV) oxide α-phenylsuccinimide gave α-phenylmaleimide as a major product and dl- and meso-2, 3-diphenylbutane-1, 2 : 3, 4-bis (N-methylcarboximide) as oxidative coupling dimers. Several N-substituted β-phenylmaleimides were obtained in 60-73% yields by this procedure. The oxidation of phenylsuccinimido group attached to polymers was attemped.