1,4-Dicyanonaphthalene [3029-30-9], naphthalene-1,4-dicarboxylic acid dinitrile, Mr 178.18, mp 208℃, crystallizes in long, colorless needles. 1,4-Dicyanonaphthalene is produced by condensation of 1,2-phenylenediacetonitrile with glyoxal or its bisaldimines. It is used as an intermediate for the synthesis of optical brighteners and dyes from naphtholactams.
1,4-Dicyanonaphthalene is used in biological studies as electron transfer mechanism of nucleic acid precursors and ctDNA with protein enzymes and several fluorescence probes in both static and excited states.
Purify it by recrystallization from EtOH (charcoal), m 208o, and sublime it in vacuo. [Bradbrook & Linstead J Chem Soc 1742 1936, Beilstein 9 H 917, 9 II 651, 9 III 464.]
