A new method for the synthesis of functionalized maleimides

An effective route to novel maleimides is described, which involves the reaction of an enamine derived from the addition of a secondary amine to a dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylate with an arylsulfonyl isocyanate. These maleimides in solution indicate dynamic NMR because of restricted rotation around the carbon–nitrogen bond, resulting from conjugation of the side-chain nitrogen with the adjacent α,β-unsaturated ester group.