Synthesis of photochromic spirooxazines from 1-amino-2-naphthols

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4020(97)00640-6

A synthetic access to photochromic spirooxazines is developed through the condensation of methylene-substituted azaheterocycles on 1-amino-2- naphthols in presence of an oxidizing agent. Compared to usual preparation of this kind of compounds (via 1-nitroso-2-naphthols), yields are generally good and approaches to further spiroheterocyclic oxazines are possible.