Regio- and stereoselective addition of imides to ethyl 3-phenyl-2-propynoate in the presence of triphenylphosphine.: Single crystal X-ray structure of ethyl (Z)-2-(1,3-dioxo-1,3,3a,4,7,7a-hexahydro-2H-isoindol-2-yl)-3-phenyl-2-propenoate

A one-pot synthesis of sterically congested N-vinyl imides in fairly high yields by the reaction of ethyl 3-phenyl-2-propynoate, imides and triphenylphosphine is reported. The structures of these compounds were confirmed by IR, (1)H, and (13)C NMR spectroscopy, and by a single crystal X-ray structure determination. The structural analysis of the products indicated that the reaction is regio-and stereoselective.