Temperature-Dependent Regiodivergent Synthesis of Functionalized Maleimides and Itaconimides via in-situ Generated Pyridinium Ylide

Abstract

We report a temperature-dependent regiodivergent synthetic strategy for the construction of functionalized maleimides and itaconimides using in-situ generated pyridinium ylides. This approach enables efficient access to both regioisomeric products under mild and straightforward reaction conditions. A variety of pyridinium salts with different aromatic and alkyl groups were successfully used with N-aryl and N-alkyl succinimides demonstrating broad substrate compatibility. The practicality and scalability of this methodology were confirmed through scale-up experiments, which maintained high yields and reproducibility.