4-Amino-3-nitro naphthalimides—Structures and spectral properties

4-Aryl(alkyl)amino-3-nitro-1,8-naphthalimides show substituent and solvent dependent absorbances. The substituent steric volume and character strongly influence the charge transfer within the system. Arylamino-substituted derivatives are strongly NH acidic and their spectra are highly sensitive to even a weak base such as DMF.

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► 4-Aryl(alkyl)amino-3-nitro-1,8-naphthalimides are easily accessible synthetically.
► Their spectra can be highly sensitive to even a weak base such as DMF.
► Solvent-dependent color changes make them promising naked eye sensory systems.
► Substituent steric volume and character strongly influence the charge transfer.
► Steric volume and electronic properties of the N-4 substituent are highly tunable.