The 3-substitution of naphthalene-1,2-diones with boronic acids: a C–H functionalization approach to novel spirooxazine photochromics

The addition of alkyl and aryl boronic acids to naphthalene-1,2-diones in the presence of an excess of ammonium persulfate and catalytic silver nitrate to yield 3-functionalized naphthalene-1,2-diones is reported. The products of these reactions were then further processed to yield the corresponding novel spirooxazine photochromic dyes.