Synthesis and characterization of novel unsymmetrical and symmetrical 3-halo- or 3-methoxy-substituted 2-dibenzoylamino-1,4-naphthoquinone derivatives

Article abstract of DOI:10.3390/molecules18021973

Symmetrical and unsymmetrical 3-halo- or 3-methoxy- substituted 2-dibenzoylamino- 1,4-naphthoquinone analogs were synthesized with an average yield of 45% via sodium hydride promoted bis-acylation of 2-amino-3-chloro-1,4- naphthoquinone, 2-amino-3-bromo- 1,4-naphthoquinone and 2-amino-3-methoxy-1,4- naphthoquinone.

Full text of DOI:10.3390/molecules18021973

Molecules 2013, 18, 1973-1984; doi:10.3390/molecules18021973
OPEN ACCESS
molecules
ISSN 1420-3049
www.mdpi.com/journal/molecules
Article
Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Unsymmetrical
and Symmetrical 3-Halo- or 3-Methoxy-substituted
2-Dibenzoylamino-1,4-naphthoquinone Derivatives
Yakini Brandy 1, Nailah Brandy 1, Emmanuel Akinboye 1, Malik Lewis 1, Claudia Mouamba 1,
Seshat Mack 1, Ray J. Butcher 1, Alan J. Anderson 2 and Oladapo Bakare 1,*
1
Department of Chemistry, Howard University, Washington, DC 20059, USA
2
Department of Natural Sciences, Bowie State University, Bowie, MD 20715, USA
* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed: E-Mail: obakare@howard.edu;
Tel.: +1-202-806-6888.
Received: 31 December 2012; in revised form: 30 January 2013 / Accepted: 30 January 2013 /
Published: 4 February 2013
Abstract: Symmetrical and unsymmetrical 3-halo- or 3-methoxy- substituted 2-dibenzoylamino-
1,4-naphthoquinone analogs were synthesized with an average yield of 45% via sodium
hydride promoted bis-acylation of 2-amino-3-chloro-1,4-naphthoquinone, 2-amino-3-bromo-
1,4-naphthoquinone and 2-amino-3-methoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone.
Keywords: 1,4-naphthoquinone; imide synthesis; sodium hydride-promoted bis-acylation;
unsymmetrical imide
1. Introduction
The quinone moiety is an important part of many biologically active natural products and their
synthetic analogs [1–14]. The quinonoid anti-cancer drugs such as mitomycin C, daunorubicin,
doxorubicin and mitoxantrone have been used in the treatment of various types of cancers, including
solid tumors, for many years. We have been involved in the synthesis and biological evaluation of
some quinonoid compounds [15–21], and previously we developed 2-chloro-3-(N-succinimidyl)-1,4-
naphthoquinone and some of its analogs as MEK1 specific inhibitors of the Ras-MAPK pathway [15].
In a subsequent report, we demonstrated the anti-carcinogenic activities of some of these imido-substituted
2-chloro-1,4-naphthoquinone derivatives on androgen-dependent, LNCaP, and androgen-independent,
PC3 and DU145, human prostate cancer cell lines [16]. In continuation of our work on the

Molecules 2013, 18
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development of novel imido-substituted 1,4-naphthoquinones for studies in our prostate and breast
cancer drug development program, we have designed some novel bis-arylimido-substituted 1,4-
naphthoquinones. The sodium hydride promoted bis-acylation of 2-amino-3-halo-1,4-naphthoquinone
and 2-amino-3-methoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone to furnish some novel 3-halo- and 3-methoxy-substituted
2-dibenzoylamino-1,4-naphthoquinone analogs is therefore reported here.
2. Results and Discussion
In our ongoing studies on the chemical modification of naphthoquinones to give biologically useful
compounds, we previously reported the synthesis of some cyclic and acyclic imido-2-chloro-1,4-
naphthoquinones obtained by reacting 2-amino-3-chloro-1,4-naphthoquinone with acid chlorides at
elevated temperatures in the absence of a base or catalyst. Similar reaction conditions did not produce
the corresponding bis-arylimido-1,4-naphthoquinone analogs in any appreciable yield. Hence, we
explored a base promoted bis-acylation of the starting 2-amino-3-chloro-1,4-naphthoquinone. Various
organic and inorganic bases were initially employed (including triethylamine, pyridine, DMAP and
Na2CO3) at room temperature and at elevated temperatures. These conditions did not afford the target
imido compounds, rather, the starting 2-amino-3-chloro-1,4-naphthquinone and the amide derivatives
were mostly recovered. However, the reaction of 2-amino-3-chloro-1,4-naphthoquinone (1a) with
sodium hydride in dry THF under an inert atmosphere, followed by a nucleophilic acyl substitution
reaction of the resulting nucleophile on an appropriate acid chloride furnished imido-substituted
derivatives in addition to the amide analogs, as shown in Scheme 1.
Scheme 1. Synthesis of symmetrical 3-halo- and 3-methoxy-substituted 2-dibenzoylamino-
1,4-naphthoquinone analogs.
R
R
O
O
O
O
O
O
R
N
X
NH2
X
O
N
X
NaH
THF
H
+
+
Cl
O
O
R
O
1a: X = Cl
1b: X = Br
1c: X = OMe
3a-u
Similar reaction on 2-amino-3-bromo-1,4-naphthquinone (1b) and 2-amino-3-methoxy-1,4-
naphthoquinone (1c) also furnished the corresponding imido-substituted derivatives, showing the
procedure proceeded equally well in the presence of either electron withdrawing or electron donating
group at position 3. The target imido-substituted analogs 3a–u were obtained with an average yield of
45% after purification by column chromatography on silica gel and/or recrystallization from
appropriate solvents.
The 2-amino-3-halo-1,4-naphthoquinones 1a,b were prepared from the 2,3-dichloro-1,4-naphtho-
quinone as previously described for 1a [15]. An initial attempt to obtain 1c from 2-chloro-3-methoxy-
1,4-naphthoquinone furnished the amino-chloro analog 1a instead. This suggested substitution of the

Molecules 2013, 18
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methoxy group rather than the chloro group, which is most likely due to lower electrophilicity of C2 as
a result of electron delocalization from the methoxy group at C3 as shown in Figure 1. Consequently,
we first synthesized 2,3-dimethoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (2) from 2,3-dichloro-1,4-naphthoquinone and
sodium methoxide in 72% yield as shown in Scheme 2 [22]. Subsequent reaction of 2 with ammonia in
the presence of ammonium carbonate furnished 2-amino-3-methoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (1c) in 52%
yield (Scheme 2). The structures of all the symmetrical imido-substituted 1,4-naphthoquinones 3a–u
synthesized in this study are shown in Figure 2.
Figure 1. Delocalization of electrons from the methoxy group on C-3 reduces the
electrophilicity of C2.
O
O
Cl
O
C-2
C-3
Cl
O
O
O
Scheme 2. Synthesis of 2-amino-3-methoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone.
O
O
O
O
O
Cl
Cl
O
O
NH2
O
NaOMe
NH3, (NH4)2CO3
MeOH, reflux
MeOH, reflux
O
2, 72 %
1c, 52%
Figure 2. Structures of 3-halo- or 3-methoxy-substituted 2-dibenzoyl-amino-1,4-
naphthoquinone analogs.
Cl
O
O
O
O
O
N
X
N
X
O
O
Cl
O
3a (X = Cl), 61 %
3b (X = Br), 53 %
3c (X = OMe), 45 %
3d (X = Cl), 49 %
3e (X = Br), 34 %
3f (X = OMe), 64 %
F
Cl
O
O
O
O
O
N
X
F
N
X
Cl
O
O
O
3j (X = Cl), 27 %
3k (X = Br), 34 %
3l (X = OMe), 64 %
3m (X = Cl), 56 %
3n (X = Br), 66 %
3o (X = OMe), 14 %

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Figure 2. Cont.
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
N
X
O
O
O
O
N
O
O
O
O
Cl
3s (X = Cl), 48 %
3t (X = Br), 70 %
3u, 51 %
Two unsymmetrical analogs 5 and 7 were also synthesized as shown in Scheme 3 by first forming
the amide derivatives 4 and 6. The amide derivative 4 was made by heating 2-amino-3-chloro-1,4-
naphthoquinone in p-chlorobenzoyl chloride; or by stirring 2-amino-3-chloro-1,4-naphthoquinone,
sodium hydride and p-chlorobenzoyl chloride (1:3:1.5 mole ratio) in THF for 5 min at room
temperature. Amide 6 was synthesized in excess acetic anhydride at room temperature with a catalytic
amount of conc. sulfuric acid [23]. Subsequent reaction of the isolated pure amides, 4 and 6, with NaH
followed by addition of benzoyl chloride (1:2:2 mole ratio) or p-chlorobenzoyl chloride (1:1.5:1.3
mole ratio) furnished the unsymmetrical analogs 5 and 7 in 43% and 41 % yield, respectively.
Scheme 3. Synthesis of unsymmetrical 2-N-benzoyl-N-(4-chlorobenzoyl)amino-3-chloro-
1,4-naphthoquinone (5) and 2-N-acetyl-N-(4-chlorobenzoyl)amino-3-chloro-1,4-naphthoquinone
(7) analogs.
Cl
O
O
NaH / THF
O
O
H
N
O
Cl
O
O
NH2
Cl
NaH/THF
O
N
O
O
Cl
O
Cl
Cl
Cl
4
1a
Cl
26 h; RT
5
5 min
O
O
Room Temp
O
conc. H2SO4
O
O
Cl
NaH/THF
O
H
O
N
N
O
Cl
O
Cl
Cl
O
O
Cl
6
25 h; RT
7
As shown in Figure 3, the crystal structure of compound 7 shows that the imide group is almost
perpendicular to the plane of the naphthoquinone ring and the two imide carbonyls are anti to each other.

Molecules 2013, 18
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Figure 3. Molecular structure of compound 7.
3. Experimental
3.1. General
Infrared spectra were recorded on a Perkin Elmer PR 100 Spectrometer equipped with an Attenuated
1
Total Reflectance (ATR) window. H- and 13C-NMRs were performed on the Bruker Avance
400 MHZ spectrometer. Compounds were analyzed in deuterated chloroform (CDCl3), deuterated
dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO-d6). Mass spectra were obtained on a Jeol AccuTOF-CS ESI TOF, LTQ
Orbitrap XL tandem Mass Spectrometer and Agilent Technologies 6224 TOF LC MS. Unless where
specified, all materials were obtained from commercial sources and used without further purification.
2-Amino-3-methoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (1c). Ammonia gas was bubbled continuously into a mixture
of 2,3-dimethoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (2, 0.305 mg, 1.40 mmol) and (NH4)2CO3 (439 mg, 4.57 mmol)
in anhydrous MeOH (70 mL). The reaction mixture was refluxed at 50 °C for 2 h. Additional
(NH4)2CO3 (418 mg, 4.35 mmol) was added to the cooled solution and the mixture was again refluxed
for 1 h. Nitrogen was bubbled through the cooled solution for 10 mins. The solution was concentrated
in vacuo, ice-cold water (20 mL) added to the resulting mixture, and the precipitate formed was
isolated by filtration under suction. This solid was air dried to obtain a red solid (226 mg) which was
re-crystallized from ethyl acetate / hexane (50:50) to obtain red solid (148 mg, 52%). Mp: 138–140 °C.
IR (cm−1) 3425, 3313, 3246, 2948, 1670, 1638, 1607, 1579, 1564, 1352, 1221. 1H-NMR (CDCl3) 4.00
(s, 3H), 5.08 (s, 2H), 7.54–7.58 (dt, 1H, J = 1.28, 7.48 Hz), 7.63–7.67 (dt, 1H, J = 1.44, 7.56 Hz),
13
7.93–7.96 (dd, 1H, J = 1.32, 7.60 Hz), 8.00–8.03 (dd, 1H, J = 1.00, 7.64 Hz). C-NMR (CDCl3)
59.92, 125.31, 125.55, 129.74, 131.70, 131.83, 133.88, 137.06, 138.51, 177.95, 181.57. ESI HRMS
m/z 204.0650 ([M + H]+ calcd 204.0661).
2,3-Dimethoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (2). A mixture of 2,3-dichloro-1,4-naphthoquinone (4.960 g,
0.022 mol) and sodium methoxide (3.582 g, 0.066 mol) in anhydrous MeOH (100 mL) was refluxed
for 5 h. A second portion of sodium methoxide (2.365 g, 0.044 mol) was added and the mixture

Molecules 2013, 18
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refluxed for another hour. The reaction mixture was concentrated under vacuum, filtered and the
residue repeatedly washed with cold water to obtain a yellow solid (3.463 g, 72%). Mp: 113–115 °C.
1
IR (cm−1) 3014, 2957, 1673, 1651, 1590, 1320, 1268, 1211.66, 1162, 1043, 1015. H-NMR (CDCl3)
4.11 (s, 6H), 7.67–7.72 (m, 2H), 8.03–8.08 (m, 2H). 13C-NMR (CDCl3) 61.39, 126.21, 130.81, 133.70,
147.54, 181.93. ESI HRMS m/z 241.0470 ([M+Na]+ calcd 241.0477).
3.2. General Experimental for the Imido-Substituted Derivatives 3a–u
2-Amino-3-chloro-1,4-naphthoquinone, 2-amino-3-bromo-1,4-naphthoquinone or 2-amino-3-methoxy-
1,4-naphthoquinone was dissolved in freshly distilled THF (15 mL). NaH was added and the mixture
was stirred at room temperature for 15 min. The appropriate acid chloride was added, drop wise, and
the mixture was stirred for 24 hours under argon (mole ratio of substrate:NaH:acid chloride = 1:2.3:2.3).
THF was evaporated under vacuum and the mixture was washed with ice-water (10 g ice and
10 mL water). The ice-water mixture was extracted with CH2Cl2 (30 mL, 20 mL consecutively). The
combined organic phase was washed with water (3 × 20 mL), saturated NaCl solution (3 × 20 mL), and
then dried over anhydrous MgSO4. The crude material was purified via triturating in hot ethanol,
recrystallization in ethyl acetate and/or via column chromatography.
Characterization Data for Each Isolated Imido-Substituted Compounds 3a–u
2-Dibenzoylamino-3-chloro-1,4-naphthoquinone (3a). Yellow solid. (61%). Mp: 294–297 °C. IR (cm−1)
1
3328, 1698, 1672, 1618, 1590, 1573. H-NMR (DMSO-d6) 7.35–7.39 (t, 4H, J = 7.5 Hz), 7.46–7.50
(tt, 2H, J = 1.2, 7.5 Hz), 7.65–7.67 (m, 4H), 7.83–7.90 (m, 2H), 7.94–7.96 (dd, 1H, J = 1.7, 7.4 Hz),
8.04–8.06 (dd, 1H, J = 1.3, 8.2 Hz). 13C-NMR (CDCl3) 127.61, 127.64, 128.59, 129.11, 130.69,
131.37, 132.90, 134.45, 134.68, 134.73, 142.32, 144.33, 171.59, 177.29, 178.59. ESI HRMS m/z
438.0513 ([M+Na]+ calcd 438.0509).
2-Dibenzoylamino-3-bromo-1,4-naphthoquinone (3b). Yellow solid. (53%). Mp: 234–238 °C. IR (cm−1)
1
3087, 1693, 1671, 1588, 1570. H-NMR (CDCl3) 7.30–7.34 (t, 4H, J = 7.40 Hz), 7.41–7.45 (tt, 2H,
13
J = 1.21, 7.49 Hz), 7.77–7.81 (m, 6H), 8.10–8.12 (m, 1H), 8.20–8.22 (m, 1H). C-NMR (CDCl3)
127.72, 127.96, 128.58, 129.22, 130.65, 131.22, 132.89, 134.58, 134.68, 134.70, 138.75, 147.47,
171.55, 177.48, 178.30. ESI HRMS m/z 482.0005 ([M+Na]+ calcd 482.0004).
2-Dibenzoylamino-3-methoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (3c). Yellow solid. (45%) Mp: 262–266 °C. IR (cm−1)
3012, 2953, 1675, 1651, 1605, 1578, 1270, 1249, 1218. 1H-NMR (CDCl3) 4.14 (s, 3H), 7.31–7.34 (dt,
4H, J = 1.60, 7.28 Hz), 7.41–7.45 (tt, 2H, J = 1.28, 7.44 Hz), 7.73–7.76 (m, 6H), 8.04–8.09 (m, 2H).
13C-NMR (CDCl3) 181.22, 180.43, 172.63, 154.71, 134.89, 134.55, 134.02, 132.61, 132.56, 131.67,
131.48, 130.86, 130.26, 129.04, 128.58, 128.54, 126.91, 126.73, 61.65. ESI HRMS m/z 434.0998
([M+Na]+ calcd 434.1004).
2-Bis-(2-chlorobenzoyl)amino-3-chloro-1,4-naphthoquinone (3d). Yellow solid. (49%). Mp: 217–218 °C.
1
IR (cm−1) 1720, 1681, 1618, 1588. H-NMR (CDCl3) 7.13–7.16 (d, 2H, J = 7.91 Hz), 7.21–7.25 (dt,
2H, J = 1.68, 7.51 Hz), 7.27–7.31 (dt, 2H, J = 1.30, 7.57), 7.79–7.85 (m, 2H), 7.87–7.89 (d, 2H,
13
J = 4.75 Hz), 8.15–8.20 (m, 1H), 8.22–8.26 (m, 1H). C-NMR (CDCl3) 126.76, 126.93, 127.60,

Molecules 2013, 18
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127.80, 129.69, 130.54, 130.85, 131.37, 132.36, 132.52, 132.56, 132.75, 134.14, 134.75, 134.91,
142.65, 144.43, 177.13, 178.22. ESI HRMS m/z 505.9741 ([M+Na]+ calcd 505.9730).
2-Bis-(2-chlorobenzoyl)amino-3-bromo-1,4-naphthoquinone (3e). Yellow crystal (34%). Mp: 232–234 °C.
IR (cm−1) 1728, 1688, 1671, 1588, 1468. 1H-NMR (CDCl3) 7.12–7.14 (d, 2H, J = 7.88 Hz), 7.19–7.23
(dd, 2H, J = 1.64, 7.56 Hz), 7.27–7.31 (dt, 2H, J = 1.28, 7.60 Hz), 7.80–7.85 (m, 2H), 7.93–7.94 (d,
2H, 5.2 Hz), 8.16–8.20 (m, 1H), 8.23–8.27 (m, 1H). 13C-NMR (CDCl3) 126.65, 127.66, 128.08,
129.63, 130.49, 130.81, 131.23, 132.25, 134.68, 134.80, 140.78, 145.81, 167.57, 177.26, 177.81. ESI
HRMS m/z 549.9240 ([M+Na]+ calcd 549.9224).
2-Bis-(2-chlorobenzoyl)amino-3-methoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (3f). Yellow solid. (64%) Mp: 195–200 °C.
1
IR (cm−1) 3090, 2959, 1718, 1673, 1658, 1620, 1590, 1263, 1218, 1234, H-NMR (CDCl3) 4.30
(s, 3H), 7.19–7.28 (m, 6H), 7.73–7.80 (m, 4H), 8.07–8.12 (m, 2H). 13C-NMR (CDCl3) 180.88, 179.74,
168.21, 155.31, 134.30, 133.61, 132.08, 131.67, 131.10, 130.57, 130.16, 129.32, 128.67, 126.46,
126.27, 115.41, 103.74, 102.58, 61.47. ESI HRMS m/z 502.0224 ([M+Na]+ calcd 502.0225).
2-Bis-(3-chlorobenzoyl)amino-3-chloro-1,4-naphthoquinone (3g). Yellow solid. (31%). Mp: 258–260 °C.
1
IR (cm−1) 3075, 1713, 1698, 1672, 1591, 1571. H-NMR (CDCl3) 7.27–7.31 (t, 2H, J = 7.85 Hz),
7.42–7.45 (ddd, 2H, J = 1.03, 2.09, 8.07 Hz), 7.60–7.63 (td, 2H, J = 1.07, 7.68 Hz), 7.70–7.71 (t, 2H,
13
J = 1.82), 7.80–7.85 (m, 2H), 8.11–8.14 (m, 1H), 8.21–8.23 (m, 1H). C-NMR (CDCl3) 127.02,
127.93, 128.03, 129.34, 130.21, 130.75, 131.55, 133.29, 135.14, 135.21, 136.06, 143.00, 143.84,
170.20, 177.25, 178.66. ESI HRMS m/z 505.9741 ([M+Na]+ calcd 505.9730).
2-Bis-(3-chlorobenzoyl)amino-3-bromo-1,4-naphthoquinone (3h). Yellow solid (26%) Mp: 204–206 °C.
IR (cm−1) 3074, 1698, 1671, 1589, 1566. 1H-NMR (CDCl3) 7.27–7.30 (t, 2H, J = 7.92 Hz), 7.41–7.44
(ddd, 2H, J = 1.04, 2.08, 8.04 Hz), 7.62–7.65 (td, 2H, J = 1.12, 7.72 Hz), 7.72–7.73 (t, 2H, J = 1.84 Hz),
13
7.78–7.85 (m, 2H), 8.10–8.14 (m, 1H), 8.20–8.24 (m, 1H). C-NMR (CDCl3) 127, 128.09, 128.40,
129.49, 130.25, 130.78, 131.49, 133.32, 135.15, 135.18, 135.24, 136.25, 139.56, 147.05, 170.21,
177.50, 178.43. ESI HRMS m/z 549.9236 ([M+Na]+ calcd 549.9224).
2-Bis-(3-chlorobenzoyl)amino-3-methoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (3i). Yellow solid. (37%) Mp: 182–184 °C.
1
IR (cm−1) 3107, 2960, 1707, 1689, 1670, 1657, 1604, 1572, 1283, 1266, 1239, 1218. H-NMR
(CDCl3) 4.19 (s, 3H), 7.26–7.30 (t, 2H, J = 7.984 Hz), 7.40–7.43 (ddd, 2H, J = 1.04, 2.08, 8.04 Hz),
7.58–7.61 (td, 2H, J = 1.16, 7.72 Hz), 7.68–7.69 (t, 2H, J = 1.84 Hz), 7.73–7.77 (m, 2H), 8.05–8.09
13
(m, 2H). C-NMR (CDCl3) 180.66, 179.85, 170.63, 154.37, 135.97, 134.53, 134.35, 133.83, 132.37,
131.06, 130.29, 130.21, 129.58, 128.60, 126.58, 126.51, 126.32, 61.53. ESI HRMS m/z 502.0219
([M+Na]+ calcd 502.0225).
2-Bis-(4-chlorobenzoyl)amino-3-chloro-1,4-naphthoquinone (3j). Yellow solid. (27%). Mp: 212–213 °C.
IR (cm−1) 1737, 1714, 1696, 1673, 1589, 1571. 1H-NMR (CDCl3) 7.33–7.36 (td, 4H, J = 2.34, 8.54 Hz),
7.68–7.72 (td, 4H, J = 2.40, 8.47 Hz), 7.79–7.85 (m, 2H), 8 09–8.11 (dd, 1H, J = 2.50, 6.56 Hz),
13
8.20–8.22 (dd, 1H, J = 2.40, 6.66 Hz). C-NMR (CDCl3) 127.72, 127.80, 129.18, 130.34, 130.50,

Molecules 2013, 18
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131.32, 132.52, 134.92, 134.95, 139.67, 142.46, 143.87, 170.40, 177.05, 178.59. ESI MS m/z 505.975
([M+Na]+ calcd 505.973).
2-Bis-(4-chlorobenzoyl)amino-3-bromo-1,4-naphthoquinone (3k). Yellow solid. (34%). Mp: 266–269 °C.
IR (cm−1) 3096, 1703, 1661, 1586. 1H-NMR (CDCl3) 7.33–7.36 (td, 4H, J = 2.16, 8.47 Hz), 7.70–7.73
13
(td, 4H, J = 2.37, 8.53 Hz), 7.79–7.82 (m, 2H), 8.08–8.11 (m, 1H), 8.20–8.22(m, 1H). C-NMR
(CDCl3) 127.80, 128.09, 129.13, 130.41, 130.46, 131.17, 132.66, 134.84, 134.90, 138.94, 139.61,
146.98, 170.32, 177.21, 178.28. ESI MS m/z 549.923 ([M+Na]+ calcd 549.9224).
2-Bis-(4-chlorobenzoyl)amino-3-methoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (3l). Yellow solid. (64%) Mp: 170–172 °C.
1
IR (cm−1) 3100, 2958, 1722, 1687, 1668, 1687, 1652, 1589, 1575, 1274. H-NMR (CDCl3) 4.15
(s, 3H), 7.32–7.35 (td, 4H, J = 2.36, 8.64 Hz), 7.66–7.70 (td, 4H, J = 2.36, 8.68 Hz), 7.74–7.76
(m, 2H), 8.05–8.08 (m, 2H). 13C-NMR (CDCl3) 181.11, 180.45, 171.50, 154.73, 139.32, 134.80,
134.32, 133.05, 131.52, 131.08, 130.75, 130.30, 129.19, 127.04, 126.97, 61.93. ESI HRMS m/z
502.0223 ([M+Na]+ calcd 502.0225).
2-Bis-(4-fluorobenzoyl)amino-3-chloro-1,4-naphthoquinone (3m). Yellow solid. (56%). Mp: 284–286 °C.
1
IR (cm−1) 3074, 1719, 1689, 1672, 1591. H-NMR (CDCl3) 7.00–7.06 (tt, 4H, J = 2.85, 8.71 Hz),
7.75–7.85 (m, 6H), 8.10–8.12 (m, 1H), 8.20–8.22 (m, 1H). 13C-NMR (CDCl3) 116.08 (d, 2JF,C = 22.2 Hz,
C-C-F), 116.41, 126.65, 126.96, 127.67, 127.77, 130.53, 130.57, 130.58, 131.35, 131.66 (d, 3JF,C = 9.4 Hz,
C-C-C-F), 132.75, 134.88, 142.42, 144.13, 165.41(d, 1JF,C = 255.99 Hz, C-F), 170.33, 177.13, 178.63.
ESI MS m/z 474.034 ([M+Na]+ calcd 474.032).
2-Bis-(4-fluorobenzoyl)amino-3-bromo-1,4-naphthoquinone (3n). Orange-yellow solid (66%). Mp:
1
170–172 °C. IR (cm−1) 1719, 1670, 1596, 1505. H-NMR (CDCl3) 7.03–7.07 (tt, 4H, J = 2.04,
8.68 Hz), 7.80–7.84 (m, 6H), 8.11–8.14 (m, 1H), 8.23–8.25 (m, 1H).13C-NMR (CDCl3) 115.68 (d,
3
2JF,C = 22.2 Hz, C-C-F), 127.4, 127.71, 130.18, 130.30, 130.33, 130.85, 131.39 (d, JF,C = 9.3 Hz,
C-C-C-F), 131.44, 134.46, 134.50, 138.52, 146.90, 165.03 (d, 1JF,C = 255.92 Hz, C-F), 169.91, 176.96,
177.97. ESI HRMS m/z 517.9785 ([M+Na]+ calcd 517.9815).
2-Bis-(4-fluorobenzoyl)amino-3-methoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (3o). Yellow solid. (14%) Mp: 177–179 °C.
1
IR (cm−1) 3073, 3015, 2957, 1708, 1672, 1652, 1614, 1600, 1589, 1269. H-NMR (CDCl3) 8.09–8.04
13
(m, 2H), 7.78–7.74 (m, 6H), 7.03–7.01 (t, 4H, J = 8.56 Hz), 4.15 (s, 3H). C-NMR (CDCl3) 61.63,
2
115.82 (d, JF,C = 22.5 Hz, C-C-F), 126.70, 126.78, 130.60, 130.79, 130.82, 131.22, 131.30 (d,
1
3JF,C = 8.9 Hz, C-C-C-F), 131.31, 134.03, 134.52, 146.62, 154.51, 165.18 (d, JF,C = 255.2 Hz, C-F),
166.45, 171.20, 180.29, 180.95. ESI HRMS m/z 470.0807 ([M + Na]+ calcd 470.0816).
2-Bis-(4-tert-butylbenzoyl)amino-3-chloro-1,4-naphthoquinone (3p). Yellow solid.(28%). Mp:
1
257–260 °C. IR (cm−1) 2965, 2901, 2868, 1701, 1673, 1603, 1592, 1572. H-NMR (CDCl3) 1.25 (s,
18H), 7.30–7.32 (td, 4H, J = 1.81, 8.53 Hz), 7.67–7.69(td, 4H, J = 1.86, 8.57 Hz), 7.78–7.81 (m, 2H),
8.09–8.13 (m, 1H), 8.22–8.18 (m, 1H). 13C-NMR (CDCl3) 30.96, 35.06, 125.51, 127.60, 127.65,
129.14, 130.82, 131.45, 131.71, 134.62, 134.68, 142.09, 144.58, 156.57, 171.66, 177.51, 178.67. ESI
HRMS m/z 550.1740 ([M+Na]+ calcd 550.1761).

Molecules 2013, 18
1981
2-Bis-(4-tert-butylbenzoyl)amino-3-bromo-1,4-naphthoquinone (3q). Yellow solid. (58%) Mp:
1
244–250 °C. IR (cm−1) 2965, 1699, 1674, 1604, 1270, 1186. H-NMR (CDCl3) 1.24 (s, 18H),
7.29–7.31 (d, 4H, J = 8.40 Hz), 7.68–7.70 (d, 4H, J = 8.4 Hz), 7.77–7.80 (m, 2H), 8.09–8.11 (m, 1H),
8.19–8.21 (m, 1H). 13C-NMR (CDCl3) 30.75, 34.85, 125.26, 127.52, 127.69, 129.03, 130.58,
131.10,m131.65, 134.36, 134.40, 138.26, 147.50, 156.30, 171.39, 177.46, 178.15. ESI HRMS m/z
1165.3845 ([dimer+Na]+ calcd 1165.2614).
2-Bis-(4-tert-butylbenzoyl)amino-3-methoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (3r). Yellow solid. (37%) Mp:
1
222–224 °C. IR (cm−1) 2964, 2905, 2868, 1693, 1674, 1662, 1605, 1271, 1220, 1187. H-NMR
(CDCl3) 1.25 (s, 18H), 4.12 (s, 3H), 7.30–7.32 (d, 4H, J = 8.44 Hz), 7.65–7.67 (d, 4H, J = 8.40 Hz),
7.71–7.75 (m, 2H), 8.04–8.10 (m, 2H). 13C-NMR (CDCl3) 30.97, 31.02, 34.98, 61.46, 125.35, 125.83,
126.53, 126.81, 128.87, 130.49, 130.87, 131.40, 131.96, 132.04, 133.81, 134.33, 154.64, 156.03,
172.52, 180.39, 181.22. ESI HRMS m/z 524.2449 ([M+Na]+ calcd 524.2437).
2-Bis-(4-methoxybenzoyl)amino-3-chloro-1,4-naphthoquinone (3s). Yellow solid. (48%). Mp: 283–287
°C. IR (cm−1) 3019, 1698, 1668, 1599, 1574, 1508. 1H-NMR (CDCl3).3.81 (s, 6H), 6.80–6.84 (td, 4H,
13
J = 2.86, 8.95 Hz), 7.73–7.82 (m, 6H), 8.09–8.11 (m, 1H), 8.19–8.21 (m, 1H). C-NMR (CDCl3)
55.48, 113.98, 114.21, 126.76, 127.57, 127.64, 130.38, 130.79, 131.41, 131.48, 134.61, 134.66,
141.69, 144.95, 163.34, 171.03, 177.48, 178.77. ESI MS m/z 498.074 ([M+Na]+ calcd 498.072).
2-Bis-(4-methoxybenzoyl)amino-3-bromo-1,4-naphthoquinone (3t). Yellow solid. (70%). Mp:
1
205–210 °C. IR (cm−1) 2839, 1694, 1669, 1598, 1574, 1509, 1167. H-NMR (CDCl3). 3.80 (s, 6H),
13
6.80–6.82 (d, 4H, J = 8.48 Hz), 7.75–7.78 (m, 6H), 8.07–8.09 (m, 1H), 8.18–8.20 (m, 1H). C-NMR
(CDCl3) 55.43, 113.89, 126.86, 127.67, 127.82, 130.70, 131.21, 131.52, 134.52, 134.54, 138.01,
148.01, 163.25, 170.92, 177.60, 178.40. ESI MS m/z 557.9965 ([M+K]+ calcd 557.9955).
2-Bis-(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoyl)amino-3-chloro-1,4-naphthoquinone (3u). Orange crystals (51%). Mp:
1
171–172 °C. IR (cm−1) 3015, 2939, 2838, 1704, 1675, 1586, 1122. H-NMR (CDCl3) 3.81 (s, 12H),
3.84 (s, 6H), 7.02 (s, 4H), 7.81–7.84 (m, 2H), 8.12–8.14 (m, 1H), 8.22–8.24 (m, 1H). 13C-NMR
(CDCl3) 56.27, 56.35, 60.93, 127.62, 127.77, 129.31, 130.69, 131.39, 134.86, 142.06, 142.27, 144.45,
153.01, 171.08, 177.27, 178.84. ESI MS m/z 618.118 ([M+Na]+ calcd 618.114).
2-N-(4-Chlorobenzoyl))-amino-3-chloro-1,4-naphthoquinone (4). 2-Amino-3-chloro-1,4-naphthoquinone
(302 mg, 1.45 mmol) was dissolved in freshly distilled THF (15 mL). NaH (104 mg, 4.33 mmol) was
added to the solution and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 30 mins. p-Chlorobenzoyl
chloride (0.27 mL, 2.14 mmol) was added and the mixture was stirred for 5 mins. THF was removed
under vacuum and the mixture was extracted (see general experimental for work up). The crude was
recrystallized in EtOH (20 mL) then triturated in ethyl acetate to obtain the 4 in 40% yield. IR (cm−1)
1
3330.36, 1693.64, 1659.97, 1609.37. H-NMR (CDCl3) 7.50–7.54 (td, J = 2.66, 8.45 Hz, 2H),
7.76–7.84 (m, 2H), 7.91–7.94 (td, J = 2.54, 8.58 Hz, 2H), 8.13–8.16 (dd, J = 1.86, 7.15 Hz, 1H),
13
8.22–8.24 (dd, J = 1.54, 7.46 Hz, 1H), 8.30 (s, 1H). C-NMR (DSMO-d6) 127.21, 127.30, 129.14,
129.91, 130.73, 131.57, 131.92, 132.68, 135.12, 137.16, 137.96, 142.11, 164.73, 177.93, 178.91. ESI
HRMS m/z 346.0017 ([M+H]+ calcd 346.0038).

Molecules 2013, 18
1982
2-(N-Benzoyl-N-(4-chlorobenzoyl))-amino-3-chloro-1,4-naphthoquinone (5). Compound 4 (101 mg,
0.292 mmol) was dissolved in THF (15 mL). NaH (14 mg, 0.583 mmol) was added followed by
benzoyl chloride (0.07 mL, 0.604 mmol). The resulting mixture was stirred at room temperature for
26 hours. THF was removed under vacuum and the mixture was extracted (see general experiment for
work up). The crude was purified by column chromatography with silica gel in CH2Cl2 to obtain a
1
yellow solid in 43% yield. IR (cm−1) 3093, 1705, 1693, 1673, 1587, 1571, 1521. H-NMR (CDCl3)
7.30–7.33 (td, 2H, J = 1.89, 6.72 Hz), 7.33–7.37 (t, J = 7.98 Hz, 2H), 7.45–7.47 (t, 1H, J = 7.46 Hz),
7.69–7.72 (td, 2H, J = 1.96, 8.60 Hz), 7.73–7.76 (td, 2H, J = 1.41, 8.49 Hz), 7.79–7.82 (m, 1H),
13
8.10–8.13 (m, 1H), 8.20–8.22 (m, 1H). C-NMR (CDCl3) 127.68, 127.73, 128.76, 129.00, 129.06,
130.63, 131.37, 133.21, 134.82, 124.84, 171.34, 177.19, 178.60. ESI MS m/z 472.0097 ([M+Na]+
calcd 472.0119).
2-N-acteylamino-3-chloro-1,4-naphthoquinone (6). 2-Amino-3-chloro-1,4-naphthoquinone (305 mg,
1.47 mmol) was stirred for 10 mins at room temperature in acetic anhydride (9 mL, 95.39 mmol).
Conc. sulfuric acid (1 drop) was added and the reaction mixture was stirred to obtain a yellow
1
precipitate in 64% yield. IR (cm−1) 3308.59, 1711.06, 1607.38, 1586.41, 1475.28, 1198.03. H-NMR
(CDCl3) 2.32 (s, 3H), 7.68 (s, 1H), 7.76–7.83 (m, 2H), 8.12–8.15 (ddd, 1H, J = 1.88, 2.20, 7.20 Hz),
8.20–8.22 (ddd, 1H, J = 1.44, 2.68, 7.08 Hz). 13C-NMR (CDCl3) 24.18, 127.09, 127.57, 130.26,
131.58, 134.16, 134.83. MALDI MS m/z 273.1471 ([M+Na]+ calcd 272.0090).
2-(N-acetyl-N-(4-chlorobenzoyl))-amino-3-chloro-1,4-naphthoquinone (7). Compound 6 (300 mg,
1.2 mmol) was dissolved in THF (26 mL). NaH (75.6 mg, 1.88 mmol) was added to the solution and
the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 15 min. 4-Chlorobenzoyl chloride (0.2 mL, 1.56 mmol)
was added and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 25 hrs. THF was removed under
vacuum and the mixture was extracted (see general experiment for work up). The crude was purified
by triturating in 50% ether/hexane mixture, followed by recrystallization from hexane (1.2 mg of
crude/mL of hexane) to obtain a yellow solid in 41% yield. Mp: 134–136 °C. IR (cm−1) 1673.43,
1702.76, 1591.38, 1254.29, 1197.10. 1H-NMR (CDCl3) 2.56 (s, 3H), 7.31–7.35 (td, 2H, J = 2.32, 8.72
Hz), 7.59–7.62 (td, 2H, J = 2.36, 8.52 Hz), 7.79–7.82 (m, 2H), 8.11–8.16 (m, 2H). 13C-NMR (CDCl3)
25.33, 127.67, 129.02, 129.54, 130.54, 131.16, 132.67, 134.76, 134.84, 139.39, 143.32, 143.42,
169.66, 171.94, 176.85, 178.48. ESI MS m/z 410.0009 ([M+Na]+ calcd 409.9963). Structural
information of compound 7 has been deposited with the CCDC as CCDC894544. This data is available
free of charge from www.ccdc.com.ac.uk/conts/rtrieving.html (or from the Cambridge Crystallographic
Data Centre, 12 Union Road, Cambridge CB2 IEZ, UK).
4. Conclusions
In conclusion, we have synthesized a series of novel symmetrical and unsymmetrical 3-halo- or
3-methoxy- substituted 2-imido-1,4-naphthoquinone analogs (with an average yield of 45%) via
sodium hydride promoted bis-acylation of 3-halo-/3-methoxy-substituted 2-amino-1,4-naphthoquinone
derivatives. These imido-naphthoquinone analogs were charaterized by electrospray ionization mass
1
13
spectrometric studies, infrared, H-NMR and C-NMR spectroscopic techniques. X-ray crystallographic

Molecules 2013, 18
1983
studies of an unsymmeterical analog showed the imide group is oriented almost perpendicular to the
plane of the naphthoquinone ring and the two imide carbonyls are anti to each other.
Acknowledgements
This work was supported in part by grant number 5-U54-CA914-31 (Howard University/Johns
Hopkins Cancer Center Partnership); in part by grant G12MD007597 from the National Institute On
Minority Health and Health Disparities of the National Institutes of Health; and in part by MRI grant
number CHE-1126533 from the NSF.
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