The present invention relates to the synthesis of succinimides, in particular to a method for the synthesis of a succinimide compound, comprising the step of reacting an alkyne, with carbon monoxide and ammonia or an amine, in the presence of an iron catalyst, wherein the reaction is carried out in an amine liquid phase and/or in the absence of an ether solvent. The succinimides may be reduced to quaternary ammonium cations which may be used as structure directing agents in the synthesis of molecular sieves.