Phenyldi azomethan

Benzyl ethers of phenols can also be prepared by reaction with phenyldi-azomethane. 

It was not suggested how the aryldiazomethane was initially formed but the minimum reaction temperature was lowered by 150° C on introduction of a phenyldi-azomethane catalyst. In contrast, pyrolysis of benzophenone azine gave no tetra-phenylethylene and only a trace of nitrogen . Benzophenone azine decomposes by a free radical process at 375-500 °C to afford principally benzhydrylideneimine, benzonitrile and 6-phenylphenanthridine accompanied by lesser quantities of benzene, biphenyl, diphenylmethane and benzhydrylideneaniline by the following pathways... 

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