One‐Pot Synthesis, Optical, and Photoluminescent Properties of Pyrrolonaphthalimides

The concise one‐pot synthesis of pyrrolonaphthalimides from 3‐amino‐4‐iodonaphthalimide and terminal alkynes has been developed. Copper‐catalyzed transformation of 3‐amino‐4‐iodonaphthalimide with alkynes proceeds via the formation of an alkyne substrate, which then undergoes 5‐ endo ‐dig cyclization to pyrrolonaphthalimides. The approach demonstrates good tolerance for functional groups. The bathochromic shift of the absorption maximum of the UV–vis spectrum of the solution of pyrrolo‐NIs in toluene achieved 76 nm for the pyrrolo‐NI containing 4‐(dimethylamino)phenyl moieties. The highest photoluminescence quantum yield (78%) in toluene is observed for the phenyl‐substituted pyrrolo‐NI.