Synthesis of 2-aryl-1-hydroxy-1H-naphtho[2,3-d]imidazole-4,9-diones by reaction of 2-benzylamino-1,4-naphthoquinones with nitric acid

2-Aryl-1-hydroxy-1H-naphtho[2,3-d]imidazole-4,9-diones were synthesized by treatment of 2-benzylamino-1,4-naphthoquinones with a mixture of nitric and sulfuric acids in acetic acid.