Synthesis of Cyclic Imides from Nitriles and Diols Using Hydrogen Transfer as a Substrate-Activating Strategy

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.