Rhodium(III)-catalysed redox neutral alkylation of 3-arylbenzo[d]isoxazoles: easy access to substituted succinimides.

A convenient method for the alkylation of 3-arylbenzo[d]isoxazoles with maleimides under redox-neutral conditions has been developed, giving a series of substituted succinimides in up to 99% yield. This transformation is highly selective to give succinimides, and Heck-type products are successfully avoided. This protocol features 100% atom-economy and broad substrate tolerance, and provides a novel strategy for the synthesis of diverse succinimides and an opportunity for the succinylation of protein medication and for pharmacologists to discover first-in-class drugs.