Symmetrical 4-n-alkylamino and 2-(n-alkylamino)naphthalic-1,8-N-alkylimides are prepared with primary amines from 4- and 2-halogenonaphthalic-1,8-anhydrides in N-methylpyrrolidinone. 3-Halogenonaphthalic-1,8-anhydrides only react at the anhydride. Unsymmetrical 4-compounds result by reaction of primary amines with the anhydride in ethanol and then the 4-halogeno-N-alkyl product in N-methylpyrrolidinone with primary or secondary amines