Conjugate addition of nitroalkanes to N-substituted maleimides.: Synthesis of 3-alkylsuccinimides and pyrrolidines

3-Alkylidenesuccininiides obtained by conjugate addition of nitroalkanes to N-substituted maleimides can be reduced to the corresponding 3-alkyl derivatives by catalytic hydrogenation. 3-Alkylsuccinimides can be further reduced using BH3.Me2S complex to afford 3-alkylpyrrolidines in good yield. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.