A novel approach to the synthesis of azobenzene using dicobalt carbonyl

Abstract

Reaction of Co₂(CO)₈ with HCCC₆H₄NH₂ in THF at 55 °C for 4 hours gave an unusual complex {[Co₂(CO)₆(μ-HCC)]C₆H₄N}₂2 in reasonable yield; the crystal structure of 2 reveals that it can be regarded as two alkyne-bridged dicobalt fragments joined by a diazene-based ligand; a mechanism for the formation of 2 is proposed.