Solubility studies were performed in aqueous solutions of 1,8-naphthalimides and 1,4,5,8-naphthalenediimides (Scheme 1). A large solubility increase was found for N-butyl-1,8-naphthalimide (MBN) and N, 4,5, in the presence of R-cyclodextrin (R-CD), indicating the formation of inclusion complexes. The presence of the N-butyl group is required for complex formation, leading to the conclusion that the butyl groups are the binding sites for R-CD. Accordingly, the analysis of solubility isotherms for the systems MBN/R-CD and DBN/R-CD showed the presence of 1:1 complexes for the former and of both 1:1 and 1:2 complexes for the latter. Association constants for the two systems were estimated, giving K ) 470 M -1 for the MBN/R-CD complex and K11 ) 1316 M -1 and K12 ) 329 M -1 for the stepwise association constants in the DBN/R-CD system. MBN undergoes hydrolysis in water, but the reaction is inhibited upon complexation with R-CD. The remarkable solubilization in water and stabilization toward hydrolysis makes these novel complexes of imides and diimides with R-CD potentially useful in the pharmaceutical applications known for these imides, as well as in the preparation of new materials, like polyimide-based polyrotaxanes.