Naphth[1,2-d]oxazole intermediates in the preparation of 3-hydroxy-4-(1-alkyl-3-methyl-5-hydroxy-4-pyrazolyl)-azo-1-naphthalenesulfonamide dyes

Acylation of 4-amino-3-hydroxy-1-naphthalenesulfonic acid ( 3 ) with benzoyl chloride in pyridine gave pyridinium 3-hydroxy-4-(N-benzoylamino)-1-naphthalenesulfonate ( 12 ) which was converted by thionyl chloride followed by diethylamine into N,N-diethyl-2-phenylnaphth1,2-d]oxazole-5-sulfonamide ( 14 ). The naphthoxazole moiety was hydrolyzed with potassium hydroxide and the resulting N,N-diethyl-4-amino-3-hydroxy-1-naphthalenesulfonamide ( 11 ) coupled with 1-alkyl-3-methyl-5-pyrazolones. The 2-phenylnaphth1,2-d]oxazole intermediates and various by-products were investigated.