Synthesis and base-catalyzed cleavage of 1-aryl-4,9-dioxo-1H-naphtho[2,3-d][1,2,3]triazole 2-oxides

A method was developed for the synthesis of 1H-1-arylnaphtho[2,3-d][1,2,3]triazole-4,9-dione 2-oxides based on 2-arylamino-3-chloro-1,4-naphthoquinones. The reaction of 1H-1-arylnaphtho[2,3-d][1,2,3]triazole-4,9-dione 2-oxides with an ethanolic alkali solution affords 2-{[1-(aryl)-2-oxido-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl]carbonyl}benzoic acids.