Preparation of 1,8‐naphthalimides as candidate fluorescent probes of hypoxic cells

Abstract

Abstract A number of nitro‐ and dinitro‐1,8‐naphthalimides have been prepared as potential fluorescent probes of hypoxic cells. The susceptibility of 4‐nitro‐1,8‐naphthalic anhydrides and ‐naphthalimides to nucleophilic displacement of the nitro group has been demonstrated by reaction with 1‐butanethiol to yield 4‐butylthio derivatives. Attempted nitration of these 4‐butylthio derivatives with sodium nitrate and concentrated sulphuric acid yielded the corresponding sulphoxides in high yield.