Hydrazobenzene synthesis

Azobenzenes and azoxybenzenes are readily reduced to hydrazobenzenes [60]. The reduction of azo compounds was found to be chemically reversible, since the corresponding hydrazo compounds afford easily azo compounds under similar experimental conditions (note that the mercury electrode - easily anod-ically oxidized - cannot be conveniently used for such experiments). The use of redox cells with both porous electrodes permits the synthesis of azocompounds (a one-pot electrolysis) from azoxy compounds. 

An electrolytically generated base, hydrazobenzene from azobenzene, has been used for a Wittig synthesis. This method permits the maintenance of any desired base concentration by controlling the current Certain ketones can be conveniently obtained through a Horner synthesis of thioenolethers... 

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