A mild CuBr–NMO oxidative system for the coupling of anilines leading to aromatic azo compounds†
Abstract
An efficient, mild and cost-effective method has been developed utilizing CuBr with N-methylmorpholine N-oxide (NMO/NMMO) for the oxidative coupling of anilines to access symmetrical and unsymmetrical azo compounds in high yield. The reactivity was found to be governed by electronic and steric factors of anilines.