Synthesis of 1H-naphth[2,3-d]imidazole-4,9-diones by acid catalyzed cyclization of 2-Acylamino-3-amino-1,4-naphthoquinones

The conversion of 2-acylamino-3-amino-1,4-naphthoquinones (II) to the corresponding 2-substituted 1H-naphth2,3-d]imidazole-4,9-diones (I) under both alkaline and acid catalyzed conditions has been effected and the results compared. Treatment of 3-(4′-chlorobutanonyl-amino)-3-amino-1,4-naphthoquinone (He) with aqueous ethanolic sodium hydroxide solution gives 1,2-butanonaphth2,3-d]imidazole-4,9-dione (V); whereas, treatment of lie with refluxing formic acid gave 2-(4′-chlorobutyl)-1H-naphth2,3-d]imidazole-4,9-dione. Treatment of 2-substi-tuted 1H-naphth2,3-d]imidazole-4,5-diones in DMF with alkyl halides in the presence of potassium carbonate affords the expected 1,2-disubstituted naphth2,3-d]imidazole-4,9-diones (VI). The spectral properties of I, II, V and VI as well as those of some 2-acylamino-3-chloro-1,4-naphthoquinones IV are discussed.