A synthetic access to photochromic spirooxazines is developed through
the condensation of methylene-substituted azaheterocycles on 1-amino-2
-naphthols in presence of an oxidizing agent. Compared to usual prepar
ation of this kind of compounds (via 1-nitroso-2-naphthols), yields ar
e generally good and approaches to Further spiroheterocyclic oxazines
are possible. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.