A new method for synthesis of 4-allyloxy-1,8-naphthalimide derivatives for use as fluorescent brighteners

A new method for the synthesis of 4-allyloxy-1,8-naphthalimide derivatives (fluorescent brighteners) using phase transfer catalysis is reported. Four, 4-allyloxy-1,8-naphthalimide fluorescent brighteners were synthesized in good yield and their absorption and fluorescent spectra were determined. The suitability of the monomeric fluorescent brighteners for copolymerization with styrene was also demonstrated. The content of the chemically bound fluorescent brightener in the polymer chain was estimated. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.