Itaco-perinone as a molecule with potential use in white light emitting materials. The effect of methyl- and methylene groups on the formation of perimidine and perinone structures

New perimidine derivatives were synthesized via direct condensation between naphthalene-1,8-diamine and itaconic and citraconic anhydrides at low temperature. It was shown that substituent group in the anhydride had an important effect on pathway of the cyclization and the structure of the product. The target itaco-perinone molecule formed via double low temperature cyclization was found to have promising fluorescence properties emitting white light. Additionally, itaco-perinone was successfully co-polymerized with styrene and methyl methacrylate via free radical mechanism and the ability to emit intensive white light from the polymer films was maintained.