Microwave-promoted synthesis of cyclic imides.

Cyclic imides have been extensively investigated because of the wide range of biological activities they exert, as well as due to their importance as synthetic intermediates. Nowadays, focus has been placed on this important class of compounds for their potential new applications, especially in the area of pharmaceutical chemistry. Consequently, the strategies applied for the synthesis of these compounds have attracted considerable attention. Several innovative methodologies have been developed to obtain and functionalize this class of compounds. The use of microwave heating, which is an environmentally harmless strategy, has been making successful inroads in many chemistry areas, such as organic synthesis. Herein we present an update of the microwave-promoted methods for the synthesis of cyclic imides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]