Some 2-aryl-5-azaindandiones-1, 3
Condensation of cinchomeronic acid with p-nitrophenylacetic acid, of 2, 6-dimethylcinchomeronic acid with phenylacetic acid, and p-nitrophenylacetic acid in acetic anhydride solution in the presence of triethylamine followed by rearrangement of the condensation products with sodium methoxide gives 2-(p-nitrophenyl)-5-azaindandione-1, 3, 4, 6-dimethyl-2-phenyl-5-azaindandione-1, 3, and 4, 6-dimethyl-2-(p-nitrophenyl)-5-azaindandione-1, 3. Reaction of the alkali metal salts of these compounds with dimethyl sulfate leads to alkylation at the nitrogen atom, and formation of N-methyl betaines of the corresponding 5-azaindandiones. 2-Aryl-5-azaindandiones and their N-methyl betaines are dark in color (black to reddish brown), sparingly soluble, and decompose at 250-350°.