Abstract An efficient synthetic method for the synthesis of diazonaphthoquinones from naphthols is described. A variety of diazonaphthoquinones were synthesized from the corresponding naphthols by the diazo transfer with 2-azido-1, 3-dimethylimidazolinium chloride prepared by the reaction of 2-chloro-1, 3-dimethylimidazorinium chloride and sodium azide.