Process for the preparation of N-substituted cyclic imides

N-substituted cyclic imides are obtained by reacting a cyclic acid anhydride with an amine in the presence of a solvent and an acid catalyst at 80 to 200 DEG C and with removal of the water formed, it being particularly advantageous to carry out this reaction in the presence of a stabilizer and an inert, dipolar aprotic cosolvent, optionally to add an inert organic solvent of low or zero polarity to the reaction mixture present after the reaction, to add a non-aqueous base in an amount of 0.5 to 50% by weight, based on the cyclic anhydride of the formula (II) used, and to separate off the precipitate formed to give a filtrate containing the N-substituted cyclic imide.