Copper-Catalyzed Direct N-Arylation of Naphthalimides Using Diaryliodonium Salts

An effective copper-catalyzed N-arylation of naphthal-imides with diaryliodonium salts in toluene at 100 °C has been developed. This cross-coupling reaction gives the desired N-arylated 1,8-naphthalimides in moderate to good yields. The synthetic potential of this coupling is applied in functional materials based on N-arylated 1,8-naphthalimides, such as molecular probes.