A new mild radical route to 3-substituted maleimides using organoboroles

A new, mild, radical route for the synthesis of 3-substituted maleimides has been developed. This new method incorporates alkene hydroboration, conjugate addition-aminoxylation and TEMPO-H elimination in a one-pot procedure, using cheap, readily available starting materials. A variety of 3-substituted maleimides have been prepared in good to excellent yield.