Synthesis and luminescence properties of anhydrides and N-phenylimides of substituted 4-(5-phenyl-2-oxazolyl)-naphthalic acids

Anhydrides and N-phenylimides of 4-(5-phenyl-2-oxazolyl)naphthalic acids with various substituents in the para position of the phenyl ring were synthesized. Electron-donor substituents, particularly the dimethylamino group, induce an appreciable long-wave shift of the absorption maxima and the luminescence due to their interaction with the carbonyl group of the peri-anhydride grouping. A large Stokesian shift and a high photoluminescence quantum yield are characteristic for the dimethylamino-substituted anhydrides.