| Abstract: | Upon ultraviolet irradiation azobenzene and decafluoroazobenzene in cyclohexane and diethyl ether solutions decompose into phenylazo, phenylazomethylene and aniline radicals. The major products formed in cyclohexane solution are N-cyclohexylaniline, N-cyclohexylpentafluoroaniline, phenylazocyclohexane, pentafluorophenyl-azocyclohexane, 1-phenyl-2-cyclohexylhydrazine and 1-pentafluoro-2-cyclohexyl hydrazine. In diethyl ether solution the products are N-polymethylene phenylhydrazine, N-polymethylene pentafluorophenyl hydrazine, phenylhydrazine cyclohexane, pentafluorophenyl hydrazine cyclohexane and phenylazo-N-polymethylene. Minor products are also formed from the photosensitisation of solvent molecules. The primary and secondary reactions of the azobenzenes which lead to these products are discussed. |
