Whereas condensation of 2-methyl-3-nitrobenzoate esters with dimethylformamide dimethyl acetal gives 5-nitroisocoumarin, analogous condensation with dimethylacetamide dimethyl acetal proceeds via a different route, affording 1-methoxy-3-dimethylamino-5- nitronaphthalene in good yield. Extension of the reaction to other naphthalenes with this novel 'push–pull'substitution motif has been explored. A deuterium labelling study ...