A Facile and General Method for the Synthesis of N-Aryl/Heteroarylphthalimides, Bisphthalimides, and 1,8-Naphthalimides Utilizing Mandelic Acid as an Efficient Catalyst

A simple and practical method has been developed for the synthesis of Naryl/ heteroarylphthalimides, bisphthalimides, 1,8-naphthalimides, and related derivatives. This method involves the reaction of various primary amines with different anhydrides, such as phthalic anhydride and 1,8-naphthalic anhydride, in the presence of a catalytic amount of mandelic acid in aqueous ethanol under reflux conditions. The use of less toxic solvents, excellent yields, shorter reaction times, elimination of column chromatographic purifications, and low-cost and naturally occurring catalysts are some of the major advantages of this developed protocol.