Diazo bonds dithionite

Crosslinking using diazonium compounds usually creates deeply colored products characteristic of the diazo bonds. Occasionally, the conjugated molecules may turn dark brown or even black. The diazo linkages are reversible by addition of 0.1 M sodium dithionite in 0.2 M sodium borate, pH 9.0. Upon cleavage, the color of the complex is lost. 

Figure 8.3 Crosslinking agents that form diazo bonds may be cleaved using sodium dithionite.

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