A new series of 1, 2-naphthoquinone derivatives was synthesized by various synthetic methods and evaluated for their ability to inhibit protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B). 1, 2-Naphthoquinone derivatives with substituent at R4 position showed submicromolar inhibitory activity, and compound 24 demonstrated 10-to 60-fold selectivity against the tested phosphatases. Also, several 4-aryl-1, 2-naphthoquinone derivatives with substituents at ...