Synthesis of 4-Substituted Bisnaphthalimides

The synthetic route to 4-substituted bisnaphthalimides consisting in reaction of 4-halonaphthalic anhydrides with a,w-diaminoalkanes followed by halogen substitution with dialkylamino group is more promising than imidating coupling of 4-dialkylaminonaphthalic anhydrides for it opens wider synthetic opportunities and ensures better yields of target products. Dihalosubstituted bis-naphthalimides can be prepared by N-alkylation of the corresponding naphthalimides with polymethylene dibromides under conditions of phase-transfer catalysis in the presence of tetraalkylammonium salts.