... 4,5-e]isoindole-6,8(1H,4H,7H,8aH)-dione (3) To 1-trityl-4-vinyl-1H-imidazole (1) (1.0 g, 2.97 mmol) in toluene (37 mL) was added N-phenylmaleimide (1.29 g, 7.43 mmol) and the solution stirred at reflux for 3 h. The reaction mixture was concentrated to a low volume and cooled. ...