Microwave-Assisted Synthesis of Naphthalenemonoimides and N-Desymmetrized Naphthalenediimides

Naphthalenemonoimides and N-desymmetrized naphthalenediimides were synthesized using a stepwise microwave-assisted protocol. The steric and electronic properties of aliphatic amines determined the outcome of the reactions, while in the amino acid series their ability to solubilize the naphthalene dianhydride starting material was crucial. Molecular modeling was used to rationalize the observed selectivity.