Cyclic voltammetry of azopyridines, phenylazopyridines, and azobenzene in acetonitrile and dimethylformamide

Abstract

The cyclic voltammetric behaviour of 2,2′-, 3,3′-, and 4,4′-azopyridine, and 2-, 3-, and 4-phenylazopyridine in CH₃CN is compared with that of azobenzene. From the results obtained when CH₃CN and PhCH₂CO₂Et are added to solutions of azobenzene and 2,2′-azopyridine in super-dry dimethylformamide it is concluded that the azopyridines and phenylazopyridines are reduced by a mechanism analogous to that of azobenzene, and that their dianions deprotonate CH₃CN to give ^–CH₂CN.