Reactivity of Carboxyl‐functionalized Cubane‐like Photocyclodimer of 2‐Substituted Naphthalene toward Aromatic Amines

Reactions of carboxyl‐functionalized cubane‐like photocyclodimer 2 with a series of aromatic amines 3 were investigated for understanding the reactivity of this unique system. Spectroscopic and X‐ray crystal structural analyses demonstrate that N , N′ ‐dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC) is reactive toward 2 affording stable 4 with a well‐retained cubane‐like structure. With the assistance of DCC, mono‐ and diacyl‐substituted photocyclodimers of 2‐sustituted naphthalene ( 5 and 6 ) have also been achieved in reasonable yields in addition to the formation of 4 . Subtle change in the electronic properties of the series of aromatic amines 3 modulates the reactivity and product distribution remarkably.