A series of 6,7-disubstituted 2-hydroxy-3-nitronaphthazarins were prepared by treatment of 2,3-dichloronaphthazarins with sodium nitrite. Acid-catalyzed hydrolysis of a mixture of two isomeric 6(7)-ethoxy-7(6)-ethyl-substituted 2-hydroxy-3-nitronaphthazarins followed by chromatographic separation led to the individually precursors of echinamines A and B. Further reduction of nitroquinones using various reducing agents gave echinamines and related 3-amino-2-hydroxynaphthazarins in good yields.