pale yellow crystalline powder
6-Nitrophthalide is a fluorescent heterocycle that can be used as a probe for specific inhibition. It is homologous to other fluorescent probes such as fluorescein, nitrobenzene, and nitrophenol. It has been shown to have inhibitory properties against triazole and dipole, which are catalytic asymmetric. 6-Nitrophthalide has also been shown to have the ability to inhibit the oxidation of aldehydes.
6-Nitrophthalide is synthesized from 2-nitrobenzaldehyde via a two-step process, and then reacted with methyl iodide.
6-Nitrophthalide has been used in the preparation of 3-bromo-6-nitrophthalide. It undergoes reductive methylation to form 6-dimethylaminophthalide.