The study of highly conjugated, carbonyl-containing molecules such as 1, 4, 5, 8- naphthalene tetracarboxylic dianhydride, III, is of interest since reactivity differences and transmission of electronic effects through the conjugated framework can be evidenced. The kinetics of hydrolysis of III in aqueous solution were determined from 5 M acid to pH 10. In basic solution hydrolysis of III yields, sequentially, 1, 4, 5, 8-naphthalene diacid ...
