The unexpected formation of novel carbonyl dyes

The synthesis of novel carbonyl dyes obtained from the reaction between α-hydroxylated acetonaphthones and 2-fluorobenzophenone in basic medium is reported. The novel structures were unambiguously established using UV–vis, IR, mass, 1H, 13C and 2D NMR spectroscopies and were very similar to the open forms of photochromic diarylnaphthopyrans.