,4',5'-Tetrakis(dimethylamino)-1,1'-binaphthalene, unknown previously,
was obtained in similar to 20% yield by the oxidation of 1,8-bis(dime
thylamino)naphthalene with Tl(OAc)(3) or Pb(OAc)(4) at low temperature
s. Treatment of the reaction product with excess Li and then with O-2
gave, depending on the reaction temperature, perylene or 4,4'-bis(dime
thylamino)-1,1'-binaphthalene in good yields, instead of expected 3,4,
9,10-tetrakis(dimethylamino)perylene.