The reaction of methoxynaphthalenes with malonamide in the presence of magnanese(III) acetate gives 2-acetoxy-2-(1-naphthyl)propanediamides and 2-hydroxy-2-(1-naphthyl)propanediamides. It was found that the propanediamidation reaction did occur when naphthalenes have electron-donating substituents, such as a methoxyl group. The reactions of methoxynaphthalenes with ethyl 3-oxobutanoate, 2-cyanoacetamide