Synthetic photochemistry of naphthalimides and related compounds

This review summarizes synthetic photochemical transformations of naphthalimides and related dicarboximides with alkenes, alkynes, arenes, amines and other functional groups. The reaction portfolio is broad and includes C(O)–N bond insertions, Paternò–Büchi reactions, [2+2]-cycloadditions, photoreductions and electron-transfer processes. A number of photoinitiated transformations gave highly complex molecules with unusual architecture.

Research highlights► We summarize synthetic photochemical transformations of naphthalimides and related dicarboximides. ► We present reactions of naphthalimides with alkenes, alkynes, arenes, amines and other functional groups. ► We show that the reaction portfolio of naphthalimides is broad and includes many processes. ► We show that many transformations give highly complex molecules with unusual architecture.