Synthesis of substituted bis(heteroaryl)maleimides

Substituted bis(fur-2-yl), bis(fur-3-yl) and bis(thien-2-yl) maleimides with potential antidiabetic properties are described. Their synthesis involves, as a key step, a Suzuki cross-coupling between various boron derivatives and the diiodomaleimides. Therefore, a wide range of substituted symmetric and non-symmetric maleimide derivatives can be prepared.